HCQ supply to 55 nations: Government

New Delhi, April 16

India is readying shipments of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and paracetamol tablets for 55 countries even as the Ministry of External Affairs has set about sourcing badly needed personal protection equipment (PPE) and testing kits from a large number of countries.

While Chinese suppliers have sent a large consignment of 6.5 lakh testing kits, a large consignment of PPE is expected shortly while more testing kits are arriving from Korea. The MEA has also taken quotations for PPE and testing kits from UK, Malaysia, France, Canada and the US and it has obtained leads from Germany and Japan. This is in addition to efforts from private companies to import ventilators, testing kits and protection equipment.

While the government is continuing to evacuate foreigners stranded in India, it has advised its nationals stranded in other countries to stay put. The government also has no plans to bring back over 3,300 stranded Indians who have tested positive for Covid as sources say they may spread the virus if moved out from medical care in the countries. — TNS