India announces supply of COVID-19 vaccines to 6 countries under grant assistance

India on Tuesday announced that it will send COVID19 vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan Maldives Bangladesh Nepal Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday and supplies to Sri Lanka Afghanistan and Mauritius will commence after confirmation of necessary regulatory clearancesIt is learnt that 150000 doses of Covishield vaccines manufactured by the Serum Institute of India SII will reach Bhutanese capital Thimphu while another consignment of 100000 doses will be sent to Maldives on Wednesday and these two countries will be the first ones to receive Indias giftIndia is deeply honoured to be a longtrusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community Supplies of Covid vaccines to several countries will commence tomorrow and more will follow in the days ahead VaccineMaitri Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on TwitterIndia is one of the worlds biggest drugmakers and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring the coronavirus vaccinesThe Ministry of External Affairs said India will supply COVID19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner keeping in view the domestic requirementsIn a statement the MEA said India has received several requests for the supply of Indianmanufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countriesIn response to these requests and in keeping with Indias stated commitment to use Indias vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of humanity fight the Covid pandemic supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan Maldives Bangladesh Nepal Myanmar and Seychelles will begin from January 20 it saidIn respect of Sri Lanka Afghanistan and Mauritius we are awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances it addedIndia has already rolled out a massive coronavirus vaccination drive under which two vaccines Covishield and Covaxin are being administered to frontline health workers across the countryWhile OxfordAstraZenecas Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute and the Covaxin is being produced by Bharat BiotechIndia fulfils commitment to give vaccines to humanity Supplies to our neighbours will start on 20th JanuaryThe Pharmacy of the World will deliver to overcome the COVID challenge External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on TwitterThe MEA said it will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroadImmunisation programme is being implemented in India as in other countries in a phased manner to cover the healthcare providers frontline workers and the most vulnerable it saidKeeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout India will continue to supply COVID19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner it addedIt is learnt that Pakistan is unlikely to be benefitted from Indias initiative as that country is yet to approach New DelhiThe MEA said prior to the delivery of vaccines a training programme covering administrative and operational aspects is being conducted on January 1920 for immunisation managers cold chain officers communication officers and data managers of the recipient countries both at national and provincial levelsIndia had earlier supplied hydroxychloroquine Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets as well as diagnostic kits ventilators masks gloves and other medical supplies to a large number of countries to help them deal with the pandemicThe MEA said India has also provided training to several neighbouring countries to enhance and strengthen their clinical capabilities under the Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials PACT programmeSeparately several training courses have been organized for healthcare workers and administrators of partner countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC programme sharing our experience in dealing with the pandemic it saidIn an ongoing effort India will continue to supply countries all over the world with vaccines This will be calibrated against domestic requirements and international demand and obligations including under GAVIs Covax facility to developing countries the MEA addedGAVI is a global vaccine allianceThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever