Insulin worth Rs one crore will be sent for persons suffering from diabetes in earthquake-hit Nepal, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said here today.

"A consignment of insulin worth Rs one crore consisting of 75,000 vials for persons suffering from diabetes in the earthquake hit Nepal is being sent," he said.

Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office, said a small country like Nepal has a diabetic population of over seven lakh people and the consignment that is being sent consists long-acting, short-acting and mixed forms of insulins.

He recalled that diabetologist fraternity of India and Nepal has always worked in close coordination both in academics as well as in providing diabetic care.

Singh said the first consignment of 75,000 vials will weigh about four tons and may have to be sent in parts.

If required, he said, more of insulin and other life saving drugs would also be arranged from voluntary sources and dispatched to Nepal.

Singh, who is also a doctor, appealed to medical fraternity as well as all those associated with healthcare to come forward and contribute in the large scale initiative undertaken by the central government to help Nepal, victim of devastating earthquake on Saturday that has claimed life of over 4,000 people so far.