Itahari March 31 (RSS): The developer of the Arun–III hydropower project— SJVN Arun-III Power Development Company (SAPDC) has donated Rs. 10.5 million worth of medical supplies to the Sankhuwasabha district hospital.

The Indian developer of the 900-megawatt hydropower project said it gave the assistance ''required for the treatment of the COVID-19 patients as well as for prevention and controlling the spread of the virus.''

Organizing a brief formal function maintaining social distancing at the premises of the hospital, CEO of the mega project of the state 1 Arun Diman handed over the appliances to District Hospital Management Committee today afternoon.

The support includes two units of advance ventilators for Intensive Care Units, three units of ICU beds, five units of oxygen concentrators, 15 units of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), 7 units of fowler beds. Likewise, the developer has provisioned two units of pulse oximeter, three units of suction machines, two unit of laryngoscope, one patient monitor, among others, to the only advanced government-run hospital in the district.

CEO Diman shared that the SJVN Limited employees also contributed Rs. 500,000 from their salary to combat the challenge of COVID-19.

Suman Shakya, the chairperson of the District Hospital Management Committee, said the 50-bed district hospital got advance emergency medical infrastructures for the first time. ''We didn't have ventilators and advance ICU bed and other technical accessories'', chairperson Shakya shared over the phone. The technical support will of great use for the seven-bed isolation ward established for COVID-19 patients.

In order to prevent the possible spread of the global pandemic from its project and work force, SAPDC has ceased all works on the project sites with effect from March 24.

''Necessary instructions were issued to SAPDC employees as well as contracting agencies in the second week of March to stop the movement of the personnel from India to Nepal and vice-versa'', said a press release issued by SAPDC today. It added, ''SAPDC is also taking a lead in spreading awareness for containment of COVID-19 in the area, banners have been affixed in different areas.''