While India is reeling under the fury of the novel coronavirus, the United Kingdom is sending ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to India to help the nation retain its grasp over the Covid-19 pandemic.
The British High Commission in a press statement said that the UK was dispatching “more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment” to “ support the country in its fight against Covid-19.”
United Kingdom said it was sending more than 600 medical devices including oxygen concentrators and ventilators to India to help the country with a surge in #COVID19 cases. The first shipment due to arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday: Reuters quoting British foreign ministry
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2021
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to “stand side by side” with India in its struggle against the coronavirus.
On Sunday – for the fourth day in a row – India set a new global record for daily Covid-19 infections.
According to the reports, India’s health ministry reported 349,691 cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 16.96 million, second only to the US.
The second wave of the Covid-19 has triggered an unprecedented surge in the cases which has increased the demand for medical supplies, especially oxygen which has proven to be one of the crucial elements for the patients contracting the novel virus.
Following discussions with Indian ministers, the UK is sending the first shipment of supplies on Sunday – due to arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of Tuesday – with further shipments to follow.
“We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner in the fight against COVID19. We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said as he vowed his support to India.
We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner in fight against COVID19. We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time: Reuters quoting UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pic.twitter.com/tFimeYyZmX
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2021
Britain will issue support by sending over 600 medical devices including oxygen concentrators and ventilators to India. In total, nine airline container loads of supplies – including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators – will be sent to India from the UK this week.
Britain has announced that it's sending over 600 medical devices including oxygen concentrators and ventilators to India to help the country with a surge in #COVID19 cases; visuals from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, UK pic.twitter.com/mpQcNSlfgG
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2021
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock reflected on the same and said, “We are determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time, and I am hugely grateful to those who have worked hard to make this initial delivery happen.
“This first delivery of life-saving equipment will provide much-needed assistance and we stand ready to do more. The global pandemic has challenged health systems all across the world and the best way to overcome adversity is to unite and defeat this dreadful disease together,” he added.
Earlier this week, the United Kingdom added India to its ‘Red-list’ after detecting 103 cases of a coronavirus variant – first identified in the country.
