6,738 oxygen concentrators, 16 oxygen generation plants received as international aid so far: Union Health Ministry

As many as 6,738 oxygen concentrators, 3,856 oxygen cylinders, 16 oxygen generation plants, 4,668 ventilators/BiPAP and about 3 lakh remdesivir vials have been delivered or dispatched as international donations and aid since April 27 to May 8, the Union Health Ministry informed on Sunday.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Government of India has been receiving international donations and aid for Covid-19 relief including medical supplies and equipment, since April 27 from different countries and organisations.

As on May 8, major items received from Canada, Thailand, Netherland, Austria, Czech Republic, Israel, USA, Japan, Malaysia, US (GILEAD), US (Salesforce) and the Indian community in Thailand include 2,404 oxygen concentrators, 25,000 remdesivir vials, 218 ventilators and 6,92,208 testing kits.

The Health Ministry also said that effective immediate allocation and streamlined delivery to the recipient states, Union Territories and institutions is an ongoing exercise and this is being comprehensively monitored by the Union Health Ministry on a regular basis.

“A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign Covid relief material as grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from April 26. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since May 2,” it added. (With ANI inputs)