DHAKA, April 26, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh has received the second tranche of
emergency medical supplies from its neighbor – India.
As part of the India’s Neighborhood First Policy and with a view to taking
a collaborative regional approach to containing the spread of COVID-19,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took an initiative to hold a
videoconference with the SAARC leaders on March 15, 2020.
Taking forward the India’s commitment to Bangladesh, Indian High
Commissioner in Dhaka Riva Ganguly Das handed over the second tranche of
emergency medical supplies consisted of 1,00,000 Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)
medicine tablets and 50,000 sterile surgical latex gloves to the Bangladesh
government, said a press release of Indian High Commission in Dhaka today.
Health and Family Welfare 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 added.
Riva Ganguly reiterated India’s continued support to the Bangladesh
government in its fight against COVID-19.
This assistance covered from the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund is intended
to support the efforts of the Bangladesh government in tackling the spread of
coronavirus.
The supplies were dispatched to Central Medical Stores Depot, the
Government of Bangladesh.
Earlier, the medicines were transported from India with the help of Biman
Bangladesh. The High Commission conveyed its gratitude to the airlines for
its timely help.
The SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund was announced by Narendra Modi and was
setup with an initial contribution of US$ 10 Million from India. The first
tranche of emergency medical assistance under this fund containing 30,000
surgical masks and 15,000 head-cover were handed over to Bangladesh Foreign
Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on March 25, 2020.
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 coronavirus, the release
said.