COVID Second Wave: India Receives First Consignment Of Medical Supplies From US

New Delhi: The first consignment of essentials to treat COVID-19 patients from the USA arrived in India on Friday.

The emergency medical supplies included hundreds of oxygen cylinders and regulators to ease the situation in hundreds of hospitals across the country struggling to provide oxygen support and critical medicines to serious coronavirus patients.

A C-5M Super Galaxy, one of US Force’s largest strategic airlift aircrafts, flew in the medical equipment and other items to Delhi.

“The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together,” the US embassy tweeted.

A second US military aircraft with more medical equipment and other materials is expected to land in Delhi later in the evening.

“A strategic partnership of global significance! Our healthcare partnership can help effectively tackle the global pandemic. Deeply appreciate gift of 423 oxygen cylinders with regulators and other medical supplies from the USA,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

More than 40 countries have committed to assist India in their hour of grave crisis. They include Russia, France, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Romania, Luxembourg, Singapore, Portugal, Sweden, New Zealand, Kuwait and Mauritius.

Russia has already delivered 20 tonnes of medical supplies — mainly comprising oxygen concentrators, ventilators and medicines – to India.