Countries rally to provide aid to India
INDIA has become the global epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country has experienced a sharp rise in infections. Recently, it has recorded more than 300 000 positive cases a day. About 195000 people have died.
According to Al Jazeera, the new strain of the virus in India's second wave has left hospitals without oxygen and beds. There is also a shortage of cremation venues.
This week, 500 beds were set up at the Radha Soami Satsang, a Covid facilitation centre in Delhi. IANS reported that preparations for a temporary 200bed ICU ward at the same centre would soon be completed. The three-week lockdown in Delhi will end on May 3.
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, has reviewed Covid-19 preparations and operations being undertaken by the armed forces to deal with the pandemic. He was informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at command headquarters, corps headquarters, division headquarters and similar headquarters of the navy and air force would be employed at hospitals.
Other medical officers who retired were requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency helplines.
Modi also reviewed the operations being undertaken by the Indian Air Force to transport oxygen and other essentials in India and abroad.
Travelling
Al Jazeera reported that many countries had imposed travel restrictions on India. They include Thailand and Bangladesh. The latter shares a border with India.
The Indian Express said the other countries were the UK, Singapore, New Zealand, Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Hong Kong, and Canada. It said that passengers who went to India in the previous 14 days or were transiting through an airport in India were not allowed to enter the borders of these countries.
The US has issued an advisory asking people not to travel to India, even if they were fully vaccinated.
“Australia, on the other hand, has said that it will restrict the number of its citizens that can enter its borders from India,” reported The Indian Express.
International aid
The New York Times reported this week that the US would export raw materials to India for vaccine production.
A statement from the White House read: "The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India.
“To help treat Covid-19 patients and protect front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment that will immediately be made available for India.”
Meanwhile, the UK government would send more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India, reported IANS. The assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks. The Department of Health and Social Care has worked closely with the National Health Services, as well as suppliers and manufacturers in the UK, to identify reserve life-saving equipment that can be sent to India.
The first shipment of equipment has left the UK. Further shipments will follow later this week. The UK is reportedly working closely with India to identify further assistance.
Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, said: “We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19 … We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against the pandemic.”
Satya Nadella, the chief executive of Microsoft, tweeted on Monday that the company was mobilising its resources to help India.
“I am heartbroken by the current situation in India. I’m grateful the US government is mobilising to help. Microsoft will continue to use its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts, and support the purchase of critical oxygen concentration devices.”