New Delhi: India has so far cleared requests for the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to be supplied to 55 countries since the ban on it as a prohibited item for exports was lifted on a case by case basis.
These include 21 countries where it has been supplied on a commercial basis while some smaller countries have been sent supplies as grants with a humanitarian view.
While the first list of 13 countries including the US, Brazil, Germany, Afghanistan, Nepal among others have received consignments, the second cleared list is in various stages of lifting supplies said sources.
The third cleared list including UAE was also received on Wednesday by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) which has been at the forefront of the Indian government’s efforts to offer medical help to other countries and also ensure vital supplies from overseas in the fight against COVID 19.
"This is an ongoing exercise. As and when requests of this nature come up, it will be again be put up to the concerned committee. It is a well-oiled system now," said an official adding there is no confirmation of Pakistan having made any similar requests for HCQ supplies.
The MEA, through Indian embassies and missions, has also been identifying suppliers, obtaining quotations, closely coordinating on the ground with suppliers, clearing agents, airlines to ensure timely medical deliveries.
Indian Embassy in Beijing and Consulate in Guangzhou, through last-minute efforts with local authorities, obtained for customs clearance late Wednesday evening (April 15) for a large consignment kit from China which is now on its way.
Read: Hydroxychloroquine: 'plausible cure to COVID-19' and the Indian connection
The consignment consists of 6.5 lakh testing kits from three suppliers, which were zeroed in from ‘companies that met export standards’ claimed sources when asked about reports of faulty Chinese testing kits.
"MEA is also providing all necessary assistance for further supplies of testing kits from South Korea. Firm quotations have been obtained from companies in the UK, Malaysia, France, Canada and the US. We have also obtained leads from companies in Germany and Japan," said an official adding that a large PPE consignment is expected to reach India soon.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the total number of Indians overseas who have tested positive for coronavirus stands at 3336 with 25 Indians dead because of the pandemic.
However, India continues to advise its citizens stranded outside to stay put where they are with no major evacuations planned for now even as 35000 foreign nationals of 48 countries have flown back to home with Indian assistance so far.
This also includes 41 Pakistani nationals who were repatriated today via Attari-Wagah border with 145 remaining stranded Pakistanis waiting to go back.
According to sources, the 24/7 COVID Affairs Emergency cell in MEA headed by Additional Secretary Dammu Ravi has addressed some 5000 phone calls, 2000 public grievances and 18000 distress emails related to the health crisis so far.
“The recovery rate has been good fortunately in countries where Indians have tested positive and are taking adequate precautions,” said an official asking stranded Indians to stay in touch with embassies, consulates and community organisations to get best possible local medical and other support.
Meanwhile, sources said that a virtual meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, China) countries is in the pipeline sometime later this month.
