Authorities in Nepal are planning to procure 20,000 oxygen cylinders amid the prospect of worsening the COVID-19 situation in the country, The Himalayan Times said. The move came a day after the government held a meeting with the country’s oxygen suppliers association. 

A decision has been made to request the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for acquiring the necessary cylinders from abroad, Joheshwor Gautam, the spokesperson of the health ministry, was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times. 

Officials are also mindful of the surging COVID-19 cases in the country. Furthermore, the country still has its borders open with India which has been grappling with the horrendous second wave. 

The government is also concerned as thousands of Nepali migrants, working in India, have been returning to back homes daily. 

Its capital, the Kathmandu Valley, remains the worst affected in the Himalayan country. Presently, the hospitals in the valley need around 4500-5000 cylinders of oxygen daily while the exiting capacity is around 8000. 
 
In its meeting with oxygen suppliers on Sunday, the government explored the possibility of an increase in the demand, in case, infections continue to surge like in India.