SEAR/PR/1754
New Delhi - To support countries across
South-East Asia Region respond to the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases, WHO has
provided over 340 MT of essential medical supplies and medicines, and continues
to mobilize more to fill critical gaps.
“Thousands of oxygen concentrators, testing kits, hospital beds, tents and
personal protective equipment are among critical supplies that are being
shipped to countries and rushed to areas where they are needed the most,” said
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, adding.
In India, which in recent weeks accounted for a large proportion of global
cases, essential supplies have reached 26 States and Union Territories, within
days of a major consignment of medical equipment landing in New Delhi.
“These supplies will help meet immediate needs while countries make long term
arrangements,” the Regional Director said. Last week, 4000 oxygen
concentrators, more than 120 tents, 400 medical beds for mobile hospitals, 1.2
million respirator masks, and 650,000 disposable sampling kits were flown into
Delhi.
Most recently, WHO has rushed 60 metric tons of much needed diarrheal disease
kits, and (personal protective equipment) PPEs to Bangladesh. The rapid
deployment of these life-saving medicines and medical supplies is vital to
WHO’s ongoing health emergency response efforts, Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
Earlier, WHO provided 43 metric tons of supplies including PPEs, diarrheal
disease kits, tents, pulse oximeter, infrared thermometers and field deployment
kits to Timor-Leste to respond to pandemic as well as floods that hit the
island country last month.
Jointly assessing needs and gaps with countries in the Region, WHO is bringing
in more supplies in the coming weeks for Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
“Collective efforts are needed to strengthen pandemic response. WHO is
committed to working with all countries in the Region and supporting them in
the current surge and beyond,” the Regional Director said.
With support from partners and donors, supplies worth USD 15 million have been
provided to countries in the current surge.
Since early 2020, WHO has been working alongside governments to respond to the
pandemic. Assisting with surveillance and monitoring, repurposing and deploying
WHO staff wherever needed and most recently preparing roll out COVID-19
vaccination. Providing funding and assistance with supplies such as PPEs,
laboratory reagents and other equipment continue to be among key areas of WHO
support.
“This is a battle that cannot be fought alone. To curtail the pandemic, we must
work together and step up to help each other within and outside our borders,”
said the Regional Director.