Honorable Social Development Minister, Mr Lal Bahadur Khadka in Sudurpashchim Province received 4,500 antigen kits worth NPR 1,080,000 from Digo Bikash Samaj, with the financial support of Australian Aid and The Lutheran World Federation Nepal. The ongoing third COVID wave led by Omicron variant have resulted in thousands of new infections in Nepal. Sudurpaschim being the bordering province of Nepal with India sees arrival of thousands of migrant workers every day and hence increasing the risk of COVID transmission.

The number of coronavirus cases is soaring with infections reaching to community level, but the Municipality is facing shortage of kits required for antigen tests. The Ministry of Social Development hence requested to the aiding organizations working in the province to address the issues caused by the third wave of COVID-19 and requested for necessary medical supplies and human resources for preparedness and management of the cases.

“This has been a very valuable and important support and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude towards these organizations. It is very vital for the government and non-governmental organizations to work hand in hand during crisis situations like COVID-19 pandemic for better results and outcomes and I hope that we could continue working together in the future as well.The local government is very aware of the remarkable activities that has been done in the Sudurpaschim province by the Australian Aid, The Lutheran World Federation Nepal and Digo Bikash Samaj. I would like to thank them all for their support on behalf of the social development ministry.”Honorable Mr. Lal Bahadur Khadka Minister of Ministry of Social Development in Sudurpaschim Province.