Published 18:22 IST, March 12th 2020
Coronavirus: Maldives thanks India for 'generous assistance' to fight pandemic
The Maldives called India a ‘true friend in need’ after New Delhi announced humanitarian relief for the island nation in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
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Maldives called India a ‘true friend in need’ after New Delhi anunced to assist island nation with essential medicines and medical relief team in wake of coronavirus. Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid took to Twitter to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for continued assistance.
Indian High Commission in Malé said in a statement, on March 12, that India has decided to send a large medical relief team to assist health authorities of Maldives to deal with evolving situation of vel coronavirus. relief team will comprise of pulmologists, anaestists, physicians and lab technicians who will work closely with ir Maldivian counterparts.
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'Neighbourhood First'
Government of India has also decided to gift essential medicines, despite a temporary ban on exports, to deal with dely virus in next few days. Indian Embassy said that humanitarian gestures are a concrete example of India’s “neighbourhood first” and Maldives “India First” policy in action.
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On March 11, World Health Organisation (WHO) declared vel coronavirus as pandemic which has forced governments to take drastic measures to contain disease. Speaking at a press briefing, WHO chief Tedros ham Ghebreyesus expressed concern about alarming levels of spre and severity and alarming levels of inaction.
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“We have refore me assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic,” said Ghebreyesus.
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18:22 IST, March 12th 2020