'India's Situation Is Beyond Heartbreaking': WHO Chief On Covid Surge

While talking to the media, WHO Chief talking about the grim situation in India and said that WHO experts will provide support to the country in its battle with Covid-19.

Tedros Adhnom (File Photo)

New Delhi: On Monday, WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the situation in India is beyond heartbreaking while refering to the alarming number of recorded Covid cases & death. 

During a media briefing he said, "WHO is doing everything we can, providing critical equipment and supplies, including thousands of oxygen concentrators, prefabricated mobile field hospitals and laboratory supplies."

He said the UN health agency was among other things sending "thousands of oxygen concentrators, prefabricated mobile field hospitals and laboratory supplies". He announced that 2,600 extra WHO experts from programmes like polio and tuberculosis will work with Indian health authorities to help respond to the pandemic.

International Support:

France has announced that it will provide India with eight high capacity oxygen generators, liquid oxygen for 2000 patients for five days, as well as 28 ventilators and equipment for ICUs. The US and Britain rushed ventilators and vaccine materials to help India weather the crisis, while a range of other countries also pledged support. Foreign minister, Heiko Maas on Monday said that Germany will send oxygen and medical aid to India in the coming days to help it tackle its Covid-19 crisis. 

Meanwhile, Marc Garneau, Canadian Foreign Minister has expressed that Canada stands "ready to assist" India in its battle against coronavirus. "Our thoughts are with the people of India as they face a devastating new wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Canada stands ready to assist & has reached out to Indian authorities to determine how Canada can best support India in its time of need," said Marc Garneau.

On Monday, India reported 3,52,991 new COVID-19 cases, 2812 deaths and 2,19,272 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry