[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The United States is providing emergency relief supplies worth $100 million (approximately 111 billion KRW) to India, where the COVID-19 situation is worsening. In particular, it plans to prioritize the supply of oxygen delivery devices essential for severe COVID-19 patients. Flights carrying U.S. government aid supplies are scheduled to begin arriving on the 29th and continue through next week.
According to the White House on the 28th (local time), the U.S. intends to prioritize the provision of oxygen-related medical supplies, the most urgent relief items, to India, where COVID-19 deaths are spreading.
Initially, 1,100 oxygen tanks that were delivered are currently in India and can be repeatedly refilled and used at local centers. Going forward, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to cooperate with the Indian government to procure oxygen cylinders to support the under-resourced local hospital system.
In addition, more than 1,700 oxygen concentrators and oxygen generators will also be provided.
The U.S. will also supply 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to India.
The White House stated, "The U.S. has sent the ordered AstraZeneca vaccine doses to India." Earlier, on the 26th, the White House announced, "The U.S. will provide 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to other countries when available."
The U.S. is also sending personal protective equipment such as masks for patients and Indian medical staff.
The White House said, "Just as India sent aid to the U.S. early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. has decided to provide help when India needs it."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
