By Chhetu Sherpa, Kathmandu, May. 4: Considering a massive surge in COVID-19 cases followed by a shortage of oxygen, the government has initiated the procedure to procure cylinders from other nations.

After the government decided to procure 50,000 empty cylinders for oxygen, the Ministry of Health and Population has started making arrangements to import 20,000 cylinders from China immediately.  

"As the graph of the virus-infected people is spiking daily, we informed the Embassy of China in Nepal on Monday about all the details including valve and type of the cylinder we need," said Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson at the Health Ministry.

"Following our information, China has already started the procedure to provide us the oxygen cylinders," said Dr. Gautam, adding that the oxygen cylinders would reach Nepal within a few days.

Even though enough oxygen is being produced in Nepal, the virus-infected patients are not receiving treatment on time due to the lack of oxygen cylinders.

According to Dr. Gautam, preparations were underway to import 18,000 cylinders via roadway and 2,000 via flight.

The meeting of the council of ministers held on Monday had decided to procure 50,000 empty cylinders for oxygen via the fast track method.