Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel has called upon the United States to rush anti-COVID vaccine and health supplies to his country, which is now battling a severe wave of the pandemic.

In a telephonic conversation with the American Ambassador to Nepal Randy Berry, Pokharel urged the US envoy to create the environment to provide vaccine to Nepal soon, The Himalayan Times reported.

Nepal sought US government support to stem the spiraling Covid outbreak through vaccination.

Nepal was also seeking supplies of ventilators, personal protection equipment, oxygen cylinder, oxygen concentrator, mobile oxygen plant, medicines, vaccine and its related equipment from the US, the deputy prime minister said.

Nepal was also looking for necessary infrastructure for makeshift hospital setup and expert human resource for the prevention and control of coronavirus.

Berry assured Pokhrel health materials would arrive by next week.

"I am also initiating for the vaccine. I would inform you once it is finalized", Berry told Pokharel.

Meanwhile, United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), one of the country's unified commands, has announced t it would provide USD 2.75 million in support to Nepal for crucial oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen storage tanks, and oxygen transportation cylinders, The Himalayan Times reported.

(SAM)