Nepal, April 9 -- Although rapid test kits acquired from China have yet to be tested for validity and efficacy, the government is pushing through with using them in mass tests for Covid-19 in two provinces-Gandaki and in Sudurpaschim.

Earlier this month, the government had procured 75,000 rapid test kits from China through a controversial tender with a private company, Omni Business Corporate International. After the tender was heavily criticised for the manner in which it was awarded and questions were raised about the quality of the equipment procured, the tender was annulled. But 75,000 test kits had already arrived and the government had pledged to use them only after testing their efficacy.

Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for the H...