India helps in pandemic fight

The Government of India has donated US$100 000 in medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to assist Barbados in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during the handing over of the donation to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), at the hospital’s Board Room today, Honourary Consul to India Dr Mohini Harris, said India was pleased to be able to assist Barbados during the pandemic.

Reading a message on behalf of the Government of India, Assistant to the Honorary Consul, Safiya Patel, said India was happy to see that the Coronavirus spread in Barbados, had been contained under the leadership of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

“India remains committed to supporting its friends and partners in the collective fight against the pandemic and is their reliable and dependable partner. India is happy to contribute by way of extending technical assistance and medical supplies and protective gear worth US$100 000 to assist the Government of Barbados in its fight against the Corona pandemic. The friendly gesture is symbolic of solidarity and strong friendly bilateral relations that exist between India and Barbados,” Patel said.

The consul official also indicated that India is fast working on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine under the supervision of its National Expert Group on vaccines. Four major Indian companies are currently involved in vaccine trials.

Global access to medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment to combat COVID-19 is vital for all countries and peoples. India strongly believes there should be a free and open sharing of medical research and new drugs and vaccines,” Patel said.

QEH’s Director of Support Services, Louise Bobb, said the hospital was grateful for the timely donation in a period when the world is trying to wrestle down the pandemic.

“This donation of PPE equipment and medication will redound tremendously to the fight the Government of Barbados is enduring with wrestling down the pandemic and ensuring that we continue to keep our people safe, our staff safe and the hospital which is our only public secondary and tertiary health facility free of the coronavirus,” Bobb said.

“It just goes to show also that partnerships forged like this never die,” she added.