Chinese government hands over 1.6 million doses of vaccines

KATHMANDU: The Chinese government has handed over 1.6 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19 to Nepal. 

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, handed over the Vero Cell vaccines to Minister of Health and Populations, Birodh Khatiwada, amidst a program in the capital on Wednesday.

On the occasion, Health Minister Khatiwada said the handover of the anti-COVID vaccines to Nepal by China has helped strengthen Nepal-China relations. 

"Vaccines provided by the Chinese government will help Nepal government's goal to vaccinate all eligible populations in Nepal by April, 2022," he added. He extended gratitude to the Chinese government for the important assistance.

Similarly, Chinese Ambassador Yanqi believed the Vero Cell vaccines assistance would help Nepal achieve its target to vaccinate people against the virus. She also said such assistance at difficult times would further enhance the relations and friendship between the two countries.

Yanqi also informed that the Chinese military would extend 300 thousand doses of vaccines to Nepal Army. The consignment will arrive in Nepal coming Friday. Discussion was underway to extend further 3 million doses of anti-COVID vaccines to Nepal.

China has so far provided 15.9 million doses of vaccines. Among which, 3.4 million doses were received on grant, according to Health Ministry Secretary Dr Roshan Pokhrel.