New Delhi: As the surge in coronavirus cases continues to ravage India that has claimed millions of lives so far, countries around the world have ramped up efforts to support the sub-continent in its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
From major powers like the US, UK, Russia to EU countries such as Italy, France Germany, Ireland and middle east countries like Bahrain, Kuwait to name a few, have been in constant support with India and providing Covid relief material to suffice the country’s overwhelmed healthcare system.
Therefore, over 40 countries have come forward to assist India in its horrific battle against the second wave of the pandemic.
From the decision to lift a ban on the export of raw materials to help India produce more Covishield vaccines, the United States so far has sent six shipments funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to India carrying health supplies, oxygen cylinders, other health care essentials including mask and medicines.
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Earlier, the USAID at the behest of the Indian government had provided certain supplies to the Indian Red Cross, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki informed. "These are a lot of the components that the Indian government has expressed a vital need for. More flights are on the way, with total existence expected to exceed $100 million," Jen Psaki said.
On Wednesday, over 2.8 lakh rapid testing kits and other medical supplies arrived in India. Besides that, a shipment of over 81,000 vials of Remdesivir from the United States arrived early morning in Mumbai.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi took to Twitter and said, “Going from strength. US aircraft carrying oxygen generating plant, over 2.8 lakh rapid testing kits and other medical supplies arrives in India. Deeply appreciate the strong support from the US. Will further boost our oxygen capacities”.
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United Kingdom
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has proven to be India’s trusted partner in this hour of crisis. From oxygen concentrators to life-saving ventilators, the United Kingdom is leaving no stone unturned to help India fight against the deadly wave of the pandemic as the country reels under an acute shortage of healthcare essentials. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the UK on April 27 has sent- 100 ventilators, 95 oxygen concentrators, April 29- 120 oxygen concentrators, April 30- 200 oxygen concentrators, May 3- 60 ventilators, 5 lakh anti-viral face coverings, 723 oxygen concentrators, May 4- 900 cylinders of 46 L capacity and 20 Liquid Oxygen vessels.
Moreover, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also announced that three oxygen plants and 1000 UCL ventilators as part of a donation from the UK government will be provided to India in the coming few days.
Russia
Major Powers like Russia have also joined hands with the rest of the world to support India. On April 29, a total of 20 tons of consignment including oxygen concentrators, lung ventilation equipment, besides monitors, medicines, including Coronavir, and other essential pharmaceutical items has arrived in India so far. On 5 May, 20 oxygen concentrators, 75 ventilators, 150 bedside monitors and medicines totalling 22 tonnes have reached India.
Therefore, in total, India has received more than 20 oxygen concentrators, 75+ ventilators, 150+ bedside monitors, and medicines from Russia so far.
Besides, the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine has been successfully delivered to Hyderabad on May 1.
Earlier today, Russia announced sending of another 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik V vaccine in the next two days while another 30 lakh doses will be arriving in Hyderabad at the end of this month.
Russian ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev had said in a tweet, “The efficacy of @sputnikvaccine is among the highest in the world, and this vaccine will also be effective against new strains of #COVID19”.
Meanwhile, Russian health officials on Thursday has approved a single-dose version of the Sputnik vaccination called Sputnik Light.
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France
France has become the second European country after Germany announced a support package to India amid the COVID scare. France has so far sent 8 hospital-level oxygen generators, each providing year-long oxygen for 250 beds, liquid oxygen for 2,000 patients for five days, 28 ventilators and equipment for ICUs, totalling 28 tonnes on May 2.
“A testament to India France strategic partnership and friendship! 28 tones of medical equipment including 8 hospital-level oxygen generators and other medical supplies arrive from France. Deeply appreciate the support from France. We will bolster our oxygen capacities”, MEA spokesperson had said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, the MEA has informed via tweet that two psychogenic tankers with 40 MT oxygen, arranged by France, filled by Qatar to be transported by the Indian Navy are yet to arrive in India.
Bangladesh
India’s close neighbour Bangladesh is also augmenting efforts to help the country fight the pandemic. On Thursday (May 6), the first consignment of essential medicines entered West Bengal via the land border at Petrapole. Petrapole is the Indian side of the Petrapole-Benapole border checkpoint between India and Benapole of Bangladesh, on the Bangladesh-India border.
MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet, “By Air, By Sea, and now by land. A consignment of essential medicines enters West Bengal via the land border at Petrapole. Thank our neighbour and close friend Bangladesh for this gesture and support. Taking forward our unique relationship”.
Earlier, on April 29, the Bangladesh foreign ministry had said that it will dispatch medical aid and equipment to India. The medical and medicine supplies include approximately 10,000 vials of injectable anti-viral, oral anti-viral, 30,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C, and other necessary tablets.
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Germany
Germany has so far sent 120 ventilators to India. Earlier today, massive oxygen generating plant with the capacity to generate up to 4 lakh litres of oxygen per day has arrived in New Delhi. The consignment is being sent in two parts. The first part arrived today.
Italy
Italy has so far sent 1 oxygen production plant capable of supplying an entire hospital and 20 ventilators, according to the MEA. Moreover, on Thursday, the Italian ambassador to India switched on an oxygen plant at ITBP referral hospital, Greater Noida. Notably, the hospital now is self-sufficient for the supply of oxygen.
Ireland
So far, Ireland has provided ample oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other medical equipment to India to suffice its healthcare system. On May 4, the second shipment from Ireland carrying 2 oxygen generators, 548 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators arrived in New Delhi. The first shipment carrying 700 oxygen concentrators, 365 ventilators landed in India on April 29 amid the surge in the covid cases.
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Bahrain
Bahrain has provided a total of 2 cryogenic oxygen tankers with a total of 40 MT of liquid oxygen to India.
Kuwait
Kuwait on the other hand has been a constant supporter of India. Till now, Kuwait has sent 282 oxygen cylinders, 60 oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other medical supplies on May 4 and 40 MT of liquid medical oxygen, 500 oxygen cylinders and 4 oxygen concentrators on May 5.
Besides this, countries like Thailand have also vowed to help India and so far have shipped cryogenic Oxygen tanks and cylinders,15 oxygen concentrators from the government, and 15 from the Indian community. The 4th consignment of the medical essentials was lifted by Indian Air Force on May 5.
