India focusing on procuring oxygen-related equipment to deal with COVID: FS Shringla

At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that India is focusing on procuring oxygen-related equipment to deal with COVID.

New Delhi: India is looking at getting around 550 oxygen generating plants, 4,000 oxygen concentrators and 10,000 oxygen cylinders from abroad to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday.

Shringla also said that India is looking at procuring 400,000 units of Remdesivir medicine from Egypt besides exploring to get it from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

At a media media briefing, he said over 40 countries have come forward to offer assistance to India in view of the unprecedented situation.

Read:Over 1.55 crore register for 3rd phase of vaccination

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

He said the medical supplies are being sourced through direct procurement and other modes.

Read:Man drives 1,400 kms with oxygen to help ailing friend

Shringla said two special aircraft carrying large amounts of medical supplies from the US are expected to reach India by Friday and another one is likely in the next few days.

Read:'Have closed my doors for Sidhu', says Punjab CM

As India battles a devastating second wave of coronavirus pandemic, countries around the world have announced sending medical supplies to help it tide over the situation.

PTI