New Delhi, May 29 (IANS). Amid the spread of the deadly Ebola epidemic in Africa, India on Friday expressed readiness to continue helping affected countries and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in dealing with this health emergency.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India’s High Commissioner to Uganda Upendra Singh Rawat has handed over the medical supplies sent to Africa CDC at the office there.
Jaiswal said, “We have sent medical supplies to Africa CDC. It has been handed over by our High Commissioner in Uganda to the CDC office there. We stand ready to assist the countries and Africa CDC in every possible way in dealing with this public health emergency on the continent. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information on this. But we have sent the first batch of medical supplies to Africa CDC.”
Last week, India sent the first consignment of essential medical supplies and protective kits to Africa CDC. In a post on Twitter, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed India’s commitment to support Africa in dealing with the emerging Ebola virus.
“India today sent the first consignment of essential medical supplies and protective kits to Africa CDC. A commitment to support Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency,” External Affairs Minister Jaishankar posted on Twitter.
On Wednesday, Africa CDC, headquartered in Ethiopia, said on social media that supplies donated by the Indian government had been received by its West African Regional Coordinating Center in Uganda and would be delivered to affected communities in eastern DR Congo.
The agency said the supplies include essential diagnostics, therapeutics, infection prevention and control supplies, and case management support.
“Africa CDC welcomes the arrival of emergency pharmaceutical supplies generously donated by the Government and people of India to help respond to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC,” the continental public health agency said.
It thanked India for its continued support and commitment to saving lives and advancing health security across the continent.
On May 17, WHO declared the ongoing Ebola situation in the region a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. India has provided medical assistance to African countries in recent years, especially by supplying medicines and vaccines during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
–IANS
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