The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has struck Nepal evidently as daily reported infections rising exponentially every passing by.  The second wave of the pandemic has not only affected the Kathmandu valley but also different cities of the country both in the hills and in the Terai. So much so that even rural areas are also getting affected. It did not even spare the remotest of the remote areas in far –off villages.

Most of the affected people are crying for help as oxygen supply, ICU beds and ventilators needed for the treatment of the patients, are acutely lacking. Hospitals across the country are being crowded by patients while doctors and medical personnel are working in a high risk. The hospitals all over the country are unable to accommodate the patients for treatment as there has been a sudden spike in the number of such patients. Some hospitals are even refusing to admit COVID-9 patients. Cases are abounding and due to lack of oxygen the patients face difficulty in searching for hospitals with ICU and ventilators. Due to insufficient beds, many patients are bound to receive treatment in the lobby and corridors and many lose their lives too.

As a response to the government’s call to assist in the medical care, Karuna Foundation Nepal has managed to get oxygen concentrators amid record spikes in COVID-19 infections and deaths and shortage of oxygen supplies in the country. KFN with the financial assistance collected from various organizations and individuals in the Netherlands managed to buy 155 oxygen concentrators. A shipment of 110 oxygen concentrators with a capacity of 10 liters has been brought at the Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu through national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Cooperation.

It was successfully handed over to Ministry of Health and Population in presence of Honorable Minister Mr. Hridayesh Tripathi, Ministry of Health and Population; Honorable Minister Ms. Juli Kumari Mahato ; Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen and in coordination with Social Welfare Council. And the rest will be transported in different parts of Nepal in the coming days

In this moment of crisis, when people are struggling for not getting essential lifesaving oxygen, our effort aided to shore up health services with these crucial supplies.  KFN wants to thank and appreciate all those supporters and helping hands who provided us with their altruistic support and without whom we would not be able to support during this unprecedented times.