New Delhi, June 2 (IANS). India on Tuesday sent the second consignment of medical aid to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The shipment includes protective equipment, testing and surveillance equipment, medicines and nutritional supplements, all aimed at enhancing the response to the Ebola outbreak.
India is confident that this 43 tonnes of aid will strengthen public health preparedness in Africa as well as enhance its capacity to deal with Ebola.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on social media platform
Earlier on May 24, India had sent the first consignment of emergency medical supplies and safety kits to Africa CDC.
At that time, Jaishankar had written on Twitter, “India has today sent the first consignment of emergency medical supplies and protection kits to Africa CDC. India is committed to supporting Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola health emergency.”
On May 29, India had promised to continue further assistance to the affected countries and Africa CDC in dealing with this health disaster.
During the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the medical material sent to Africa CDC was handed over by India’s High Commissioner to Uganda Upendra Singh Rawat to his office there.
Earlier on May 31, Africa CDC welcomed the emergency medical assistance provided by India in efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and expressed gratitude for New Delhi’s support during this public health crisis.
On May 17, the World Health Organization declared Ebola a public health emergency of international concern.
Ebola is a serious and often fatal disease, spread by direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected animals. Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
In recent years, India has increased medical assistance to African countries. India has supplied medicines and vaccines, especially during public health disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic.
–IANS
kr/