India sends medical assistance to five friendly nations

NEW DELHI: India has sent medical assistance to the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles by a naval ship following separate requests from these countries for help in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The Foreign Ministry said the Indian naval ship Kesari is bringing medical equipment, essential medicines and food to all five countries, in line with India’s “time-tested” role as the first responder to any crisis in the region.

“Responding to their requests for assistance in coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, India dispatched the Indian naval ship Kesari to the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles, bringing on board two medical assistance teams, shipments of essential drugs related to Covid and essential food products, “the MEA said in a statement.

He said medical aid teams will be deployed to Mauritius and Comoros to help their governments deal with Covid-19. The Comoros team will also help the country fight dengue fever.

“The ship will deliver shipments of essential Covid-19 related drugs to Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and around 600 tons of food to the Maldives,” said the MEA.

In addition, a special shipment of Ayurvedic medicines is also sent to Mauritius.

“Shipments destined for Madagascar and Comoros also include hydroxychloroquine tablets, which have previously been shipped to Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles,” said the MEA.

The ship was shipped under India’s ‘Sagar Mission’ launched to help friendly countries deal with the pandemic.