Coronavirus

US Will Urgently Send Vaccine Raw Materials To India; Saudi Arabia Sends 80 Metric Tonnes Oxygen

By Malvika Gurung
US Will Urgently Send Vaccine Materials To India; Saudi Arabia Sends 80 Metric Tonnes Oxygen
US Will Urgently Send Vaccine Materials To India; Saudi Arabia Sends 80 Metric Tonnes Oxygen

Amidst a wave of severe backlash received by the Biden administration for not coming forward and declining the release of surplus COVID-19 vaccines and raw materials to a ‘worst-ever hit health crisis’ enduring India, an extension of aid comes from the United States.

After speaking with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over a phone call on April 25, the US counterpart Jake Sullivan confirmed that the United States will “urgently” provide India with sources of specific raw materials, for upscaling the production of Covishield vaccine, which is currently facing a critical level of shortage, as India adds 3.55 fresh infection cases on Sunday, clocking an active caseload of nearly 27 lakh.

The United States will extend further aid for treating COVID-19 patients and protecting front-line health workers in India by ‘immediately’ supplying therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Sullivan also informed pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies to India, on an urgent basis.


US Steps Up to Provide Aid

After being publicly criticized by not just social media netizens but also members and supporters of the Democratic party, for not releasing surplus Covid-19 vaccines and raw materials for vaccine production in India, at a time when the country is undergoing its worst-hit public health crisis, the Biden administration has finally announced to release vaccine raw materials to the nation.

In addition to providing India with raw materials for manufacturing the Covishield vaccine, the US has ‘identified’ supplies of therapeutics, diagnostic kits, PPE kits and ventilators.

As per the White House statement, the US is also looking for avenues to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis.

Showing its commitment to helping India in a crisis of the current sort, President Biden tweeted,

He stated that just as India helped the US during early pandemic times, when it’s hospitals were strained, the US will help India in its time of need too.

Different Countries Come to India’s Aid Prior to the US

On Saturday, an Indian-American US Congressman, a Democrat from Illinois appealed to the Biden’s administration to release AstraZeneca vaccine doses to countries hardest-hit by Covid-19, including India.

On Friday, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla urged the POTUS to lift the embargo on export of raw materials needed for the production of the Covishield coronavirus vaccine in India.

He tweeted, 

On April 25, the United Kingdom announced helping India at such times, by sending medical equipment like ventilators and oxygen concentrators to the country.

NDTV reports that the first shipment is expected to reach Delhi early Tuesday, with more scheduled for the coming week. In total, nine containers carrying over 600 pieces – including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators – will be sent.

Late yesterday, Saudi Arabia was reported to ship 80 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India, given the meteoric rise in the number of cases in the country. The supply shipment is being undertaken in cooperation with the Adani group and Linde company.

Hours prior to UK’s announcement, the European Union also ensured to help India’s in its fight against the deadly Covid-19 virus.

Malvika Gurung 1424 posts 0 comments

Right from jazz cafes to the hustle of social media, you can find me with a book, a pen and a fairly excited attitude. To know more about my work, keep Trakin.

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