India offers support to Africa to fight Omicron variant of COVID-19
Sakshi Education
India has offered support for Africa to fight the OMICRON variant and also expressed solidarity with the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant. The External Affairs Ministry yesterday said, India is ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing with the Omicron variant, including by supplies of Made-in-India vaccines. Supplies can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally.
India offers support to Africa to fight Omicron variant of COVID-19
In this regard, the Government has cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of COVISHIELD vaccines including to African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho. India has also cleared supplies of COVAXIN to Botswana.
India is also willing to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment such as ventilators. The Ministry said Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterization-related research work with their African counterparts.
India has so far supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, including nearly one million doses as grant to 16 countries and more than 16 million doses under the COVAX facility to 33 countries.