40 nations helping India fight Covid-19 pandemic

By Anish KumarFirst Published Apr 29, 2021, 5:05 PM IST
Highlights

As part of international cooperation, India is expecting 550 oxygen generating plants, 4000 oxygen concentrators and 10000 oxygen cylinders from foreign countries to contain the spread of the virus.

In the wake of the rising Coronavirus cases across the country, more than 40 countries have committed to support India in the fight against the pandemic. 

Addressing the press conference, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, "As part of international cooperation, India is expecting 550 oxygen generating plants, 4000 oxygen concentrators and 10000 oxygen cylinders from foreign countries to contain the spread of the virus."

He also said that not just developed countries but "also our neighbours Mauritius, Bangladesh, Bhutan have all come forward to offer assistance."

Talking about assistance from foreign nations, he said two special aircraft from Russia have arrived last night, carrying oxygen generating plants and medical supplies. 

The United States is sending three aircraft with Covid relief materials. Two aircraft will land on Friday while the third one on May 3.

"We are also trying to procure 4 lakh doses of Remdesivir medicine from Egypt besides exploring to get it from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan," Shringla said.

"We normally manufacture 67,000 doses of Remdesivir a day. But the requirement today might be between 2-3 lakh a day. So we have to bridge the gap, this is something that our producers are well aware of, they are actually ramping up their production," Shringla added.

Further, he added that a cargo flight arriving from the UAE on Thursday night with ventilators and carrying Favipiravir medicines.

"The government has been majorly focusing on procuring oxygen generators, concentrators, oxygen cylinders, cryogenic tankers as well as liquid oxygen," the foreign secretary said. 

On Gilead Science assistance, he said, "It has committed to offering 4.5 lakh doses of Remdesivir. They are being manufactured in Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates. We have contacted them. We are looking to have these stocks supplied in our country as soon as possible to bridge the short term gap."

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

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