'World's largest Pharmacy' India sends 36.1 million doses to various countries

New Delhi, February 27: Being the world's largest pharmacy, India provided over 36.1 million doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries. India has sent this vaccine under its Vaccine Maitri Initiative which follows India's global motto Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. 

 

 

 

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the supply of vaccines to countries will continue in the coming weeks and months in a phased manner but it will be ensured that domestic requirements for the national vaccination program are kept in mind.

 

Out of the 36.1 million doses, 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance, while, 294.44 lakh on a commercial basis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

 

"As of now, we have provided a total of 361.94 lakh doses to various countries. This includes 67.5 lakh doses supplied under grant assistance and 294.44 lakh doses under various commercial contracts," he said at an online briefing. Srivastava said India has also offered locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country.

 

Under its initiative, India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados, and Dominica.

 

Yesterday, Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lauded India and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for sharing the Covid-19 vaccines. Chief of WHO also hoped that other countries will follow the same path to distribute the vaccines equally.

 

Ghebreyesus made a statement that India’s commitment to COVAX and sharing the covid-19 vaccines have helped more than 60 countries as they have started vaccinating their health workers and other priority groups.

 

Referring to India he further added, if everyone acts together and shares the knowledge, this pandemic could be stopped to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.