KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health has received the applications showing interest to bring only 44 types of medicines, although the ministry had invited tenders for bringing 84 types of medicines.

The Ministry had invited the bid for bringing medicines through fast track in view of India's undeclared blockade coupled with unrelenting agitation in Tarai-Madhes.

Spokesperson at the Ministry, Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, said 16 Nepali companies including some Indian companies have submitted for the proposal. It is very costly to bring remaining 40 types of medicines via tender. "Remaining 40 types of medicines would be received as relief from the donor agencies, or be brought through regular tender," he added.

Further Shrestha said, although the ministry had planned to bring the medicines worth Rs 200 million adopting fast track, the contract of only Rs 60 million has been made so far.

The ministry has been receiving medicines as relief from various donor agencies. On Tuesday itself, China and Australia provided blood bags.

Taking notice of the growth of cold-related diseases among the earthquake victims, with the report that some have succumbed to diseases, the ministry has fanned out doctors' teams with necessary medicines. Even the measures to fend off cold have been adopted in the quake-affected districts, said the spokesperson Shrestha.