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Kathmandu, April 25: Reinforcing its commitment to regional partnerships under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, India has announced medical assistance worth USD 2 million for Nepal. The aid package is specifically aimed at supporting Nepalese patients suffering from Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease and follows a formal request from the Government of Nepal.
The announcement was confirmed by Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Jaiswal said, “Reaffirming India’s commitment to the Neighbourhood First Policy, India sends assistance consisting of medicines and vaccines for patients with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease worth $2 million, responding to a request from Nepal.”
As an immediate step, the first tranche of aid, comprising 17,030 vials of vaccines specifically for the immunisation of thalassemia patients, has already been delivered to Nepalese authorities.
This initiative further strengthens the deep-rooted and time-tested relationship between India and Nepal, where cooperation in the health sector has been a significant pillar. India has historically played a crucial role in developing Nepal’s healthcare infrastructure.
Key contributions include the establishment of the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan, which features a 350-bed hospital and a 50-seat medical college. India also funded the Nepal Bharat Maitri Emergency and Trauma Centre, inaugurated in 2008 as Nepal’s first dedicated trauma facility modelled after India’s AIIMS, and the OPD-cum-Ward block at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, completed back in 1985.
Recent collaborations include the provision of 200 kidney dialysis machines and 50 Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems in 2023, and the handover of a state-of-the-art Bhabhatron II Radiotherapy Machine for cancer treatment to the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital earlier in 2024.
India’s support has been particularly evident during crises. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal was among the initial recipients of India’s domestically produced vaccines, receiving the first batch on January 21, 2021. Early in the pandemic, India had also dispatched over 23 tonnes of essential medicines to assist Nepal’s response.
This latest medical aid gesture follows a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal’s then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, where both leaders noted the positive trajectory of the bilateral partnership. “India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal,” PM Modi had stated following the meeting, highlighting discussions on enhancing cooperation in energy, connectivity, culture, digital technology, disaster management, and maritime transport.
The provision of this vital medical assistance underscores India’s role as a key developmental partner in the region and its unwavering commitment to humanitarian diplomacy and regional solidarity.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information released around April 25th concerning India’s medical aid assistance to Nepal. Details regarding specific timelines or individuals mentioned reflect the information available at the time of the source material.
