COVID-19: Indian Ambassador Lauds Indonesia for Medical Aid

Indonesia sends medical assistance to India to handle the surge in COVID-19 cases. (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Manoj Kumar Bharti expressed his appreciation for medical assistance from the Indonesian Government to India in an effort to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to express gratitude to the Indonesian Government for the timely assistance given to India, which is currently battling this pandemic. My appreciation also goes to the timely coordination by all ministries, especially Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Health,” the Ambassador said at the send-off ceremony of 200 units of oxygen concentrators, Wednesday (12/5), at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten Province.

The Indian Red Cross, the Ambassador said, will receive the assistance in capital New Delhi on Thursday (13/5) at local time.

In his statement, he also expressed belief that together, the pandemic can be overcome sooner. “As the Indonesian Foreign Minister said, as long as there is one country affected by COVID-19, there is no safe country in the world that is currently very connected,” he said.

Furthermore, the Indian Ambassador said that his country is currently facing the second wave of COVID-19 which has put serious pressure on health facilities, resulting in a shortage in medical equipment, especially oxygen and also medicines.

According to him, before the second wave, India was able to provide medical assistance for other countries. “As of 20 March 2021, India has supplied 60.4 million doses of vaccine to 76 countries with various schemes. India has supplied vaccines to countries in South Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean,” he said.

For the record, Indonesia also sent an assistance of 1,400 oxygen cylinders to India two days ago, he said. (SLN/UN) (FI/MUR)