India, as part of its ‘neighbourhood first’ policy, has sent Hydroxychloroquine tablets and surgical masks to Bangladesh for tackling COVID-19.
This is the second tranche of Indian medical assistance to Bangladesh handed over with the slogan: ‘Let the darkness go; let your touch fill my heart’.
The first tranche of 30,000 surgical masks and 15,000 head-covers were handed over to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on March 25.
The second tranche consists of 100,000 Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) medicine tablets and 50,000 sterile surgical latex gloves.
High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das handed over those supplies to the government.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque appreciated the “continued support” from India in terms of essential medical supplies, protective gear and capacity building.
“Helping hands of our neighbour at this time of distress is most welcome,” he said.
The High Commissioner reiterated India’s continued support to government of Bangladesh in its fight against Covid-19.
This assistance was covered from the SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support neighbours in tackling the spread of coronavirus.
Modi in an unprecedented video conference with the SAARC leaders on March 15 started the fund with $10 million initial support from India.
Series of events related to the pandemic followed the video conference.
So far, India hosted video conferences between health experts and trade representatives of the SAARC nations discussing specific measures, trade facilitation and exchange of best practices on March 26 and April 8 respectively.
Health officials from SAARC nations are in constant touch to share best practices and to benefit from each other following the event.
Further, e-ITEC training modules for SAARC Nations in the form of short live webinars for health care professionals on COVID-19 management strategies, capacity building, knowledge sharing on best practices and related aspects were designed by health care experts from India.
The first such online course was conducted from April 17 to April 21 by All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur in which over 90 health professionals from Bangladesh participated.
A second online course is being organised by Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India from April 27 to May 6 under the Government of India’s ITEC initiative.
“As a friend and neighbour, India is ready to stand with Bangladesh in times of challenge. Working together, India and Bangladesh can overcome the extraordinary situation created by the spread of Covid-19,” the High Commission said.
