COVID-19: 9000 Remdesivir vials from 'EU partner' Belgium reach India amid surge in cases

As country battles second wave of coronavirus pandemic, many countries like US, Germany, France, Uzbekistan have extended ir support to India by supplying medical essentials and equipments to aid country in its fight against COVID-19 crisis. latest in line to provide medical aid to India is its 'EU partner', Belgium. 

A special flight from Belgium carrying COVID-19 drugs arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi on Sunday, 2 May 2021, early in morning. flight brought in a consignment which included 9,000 vials of Remdesivir.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi took to his Twitter handle to inform about arrival of Remdesivir. "Shared interests & shared commonalities! Welcome consignment of 9000 vials of Remdesivir from our EU partner Belgium," he wrote.

India also received eight oxygen generator plants including 28 tonnes of medical equipment from France, on Sunday, as a part of its program which country terms as a "solidarity mission" in order to help India battle COVID-19 and boost long-term resilience of its healthcare system.

French Ambassor to India Emmanuel Lenain took to his Twitter handle to share updates on "solidarity mission". He said that eight "world-class" oxygen plants, manufactured by French company Novair, that have been shipped to India are capable enough to make eight Indian hospitals "oxygen autonomous for 10+ years." 

On Saturday, informing about departure of shipment, he tweeted, "#FranceStandsWithIndia, just as India has always stood by France. first shipment of our COVID-19 solidarity mission has just taken off and will land tomorrow morning - with more in coming days! Toger, we will prevail."

Today, post arrival of medical essentials, he vowed to "stand toger" with India in this fight.

"A testament to India-France strategic partnership & friendship! 28 tonnes of medical equipment including 8 hospital-level oxygen generators and or medical supplies arrives from France. Deeply appreciate support from France. Will bolster our oxygen capacities," tweeted MEA spokesperson, Bagchi.

According to sources, oxygen plants will be delivered to 8 Indian hospitals, 6 in Delhi, one in Haryana and one in Telangana, based on needs as identified by Indian authorities. 

India is battling a horrific second wave of coronavirus pandemic with an unprecedented surge in number of COVID-19 infections daily. On Sunday, country recorded 3,92,488 people who were positive for virus making toll reach 1,95,57,457. A record 3,689 daily fatalities pushed India’s death toll to 2,15,542.

(With Agency Inputs)