KATHMANDU: Two successful business groups — Shanker Group and Infinity Holdings — have jointly launched a series of support ventures during the trying times of Covid-19 and its growing impact.

The two groups have so far jointly handed over more than Rs 35 million worth of medical supplies, equipment, and technical assistance to hospitals across the country and to professionals at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shanker and Infinity have handed over medical supplies to Bir Hospital and Armed Police Force Hospital in Kathmandu, Rupandehi and Seti Provincial Hospitals, through two leading social organizations – Hami Nepali (for Kathmandu) and Humanity Foundation (for Sudurpaschim). Some more health materials are being given in a day or two.

Shanker Group Chairman Shankar Lal Agrawal and Infinity Holdings Chairman Deepak Bhatt said the series of assistance during this humanitarian crisis would continue. They are committed to meeting the urgent needs of the country and infected people at this critical moment.

According to the group, a state-of-the-art and multi-purpose oxygen plant is being built at the Seti Provincial Hospital in Dhangadhi in a few days. Equipment for the oxygen plant is being airlifted from Novair Medical Company in France. The plant after installation will produce ‘high flow’ oxygen for 45 beds and 700 liters of oxygen on a daily basis.

In the first phase, both the companies handed over 50 beds in the new building of Bir Hospital as well as necessary mattresses, sheets, and blankets, among others. Similarly, 100 beds along with necessary materials were provided to hospitals and health institutions in Sudurpaschim Province.

Moreover, the two businesses are handing over 520 sets of valves and oxygen cylinders with regulators, which have been ordered from China, to Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province, and the Armed Police Hospital in Balambu in a day or two. Similarly, 50,000 masks have been provided to frontline workers deployed in Rupandehi.

The group is also handing over 320 units of oxygen cylinders for Sudrupaschim Province and 100 units each to Karnali Province and APF Hospital in Kathmandu.

The group has already provided 150,000 masks and 200 sets of PPE to Sudurpaschim Province. Earlier, the group has donated 250 PPE sets, 200 face shields and 5,000 masks to frontline volunteers at Bir Hospital.

“We have been jointly providing the necessary materials during this crisis to save lives and it is also our social responsibility,” the group said.