File - People are seen on the premises of TU Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, on September 13, 2012. Photo courtesy: Krish Dulal

The Government of Australia has provided medical equipment to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. The medical equipment worth AUD 45,450 (approximately NPR 41 lakh) was handed over on Tuesday.

Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk handed over the medical equipment to the Dean of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), TUTH Professor Dr Dibya Singh Shah and Dr Samarika Dahal at the Forensic Department of TUTH.

The equipment – an ultrasound machine and a portable dental x-ray machine – were funded under the Australia Awards Alumni Grants Program to support the work of two Australian university alumni – Professor Dr Shah and

Dr Dahal, according to a statement issued by the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu.

The x-ray machine will be used in forensic odontology services in Nepal and will expand the disaster victim identification services provided by the Forensic Department at TUTH. Dr Dahal is a pioneer in the field of forensic odontology and received the alumni grant in recognition of her strong commitment to advocacy for improved health services in Nepal and for her active engagement in the Australia Awards Women in Leadership Network (WIL) in Nepal. The ultrasound machine is being provided as an alumni grant to Professor

Dr Shah, Dean, IOM, in recognition of her leadership in the field of nephrology and transplant services in Nepal.

On the occasion, Ambassador Volk said the Australian Government is committed to supporting health security under its Nepal COVID-19 Development Response Plan. "I hope that the contribution of equipment under the Australia Awards Alumni grant program will provide support to Nepal’s health system and be a reminder of a friendship where Nepal and Australia have supported each other across many decades,” Ambassador Volk said.