Qatar becomes a hub of organising logistics for medical aid to India: Envoy

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Doha: Qatar has emerged as one of very important hub of organising logistics for medical assistance from all over the world to India and is preparing to dispatch 1,200 metric tonnes medical oxygen to India from Qatar. 'Following the directive of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), is working on supplying more medical assistance as per the requirements in India to fight COVID-19, said Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E Dr. Deepak Mittal. Speaking at a press conference held at the premises of Indian Embassy yesterday, the Ambassador said that the requirements of India are liquid medical oxygen, oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oxygen generating plants, Remdesivir medicines among others. 'Two cryogenic tankers are expected to leave from Qatar carrying 40 metric tonnes of liquid medical exigencies. The government of France arranged the cryogenic tankers. Gasal company of Qatar is filling the tankers with liquid medical oxygen and Indian Navy ship will carry this to India, said Dr. Mittal.  Ambassador of India to Qatar, H E Dr. Deepak Mittal said: 'This is first shipment in coming time and there will be multiple shipments. About 1,200 metric tonnes liquid medial oxygen will be mobilized from Qatar to India in coming period over 6 to 8 weeks. The Ambassador said: 'It is very substantive support from government of Qatar. Qatar is emerging as an important hub for transporting logistics for coordinating international assistance of medical supplies to India. In India, we deeply appreciate and value it which we are receiving from the international community especially in Qatar. He said that following the directive of H H the Amir, Qatar Airways announced that it will carry all essential medical relief supplies to India free of charge from around the world.  'Three flights of Qatar Airways left on May 3 to India. Another flight to carry 4,100 oxygen cylinders from London gifted by British Oxygen Company to be airlifted by Qatar Airways to India which within a couple of days, said Dr. Mittal. He said that Indian community in Qatar dispatched 200 cylinders of 42 litres each and 43 oxygen concentrators by an Indian Navy ship. The Community represented by Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) is also mobilising more 200 oxygen cylinders from Qatar. A total of 100 of them to leave today while another 100 are expected to be dispatched on May 8 by Indian Naval ship.  Explaining the shortage of oxygen for fighting COVID-19 in India, the Ambassador said that sudden spike in the demand of oxygen in March took place. 'The oxygen demand was around 1,100 metric tonnes of medical oxygen, suddenly it jumped within one month currently 8,000 metric tonnes which is 7 to 8 times surge. This is major challenge because the oxygen production capacity was about 4,000 to 5,000 metric tonnes, said Dr. Mittal. He said that the daily production of oxygen has increased from 5,700 MT on August 1, 2020 to 9,000 MT currently to meet the rising demand.  'The oxygen capacities are also being increasing by sourcing it from abroad like Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain from Gulf region especially because of the proximity to India, said Dr. Mittal. He said that the Government of India is leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the States and Union Territories (UT) through a ‘Whole of Government' approach.  'The global community has extended a helping hand in supporting efforts of Government of India in this collective fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Mittal. He said that over 40 countries have offered to help India in various ways. India has received a total of 1,799 oxygen cylinders and 136,000 vials of Remdesivir apart from other medical aid including ventilators and oxygen concentrators from 14 countries in the past week.  He said that New Delhi has contracted to buy equipment from Indian and international corporates as well as Indian community associations across the world.  'Indian embassies around the world were given a list of urgently needed items, including liquid medical oxygen, oxygen producing units and drugs for coordinating with foreign governments and corporations to expedite delivery, said Dr. Mittal. He said that India expects to receive over 550 oxygen generating plants, more than 4,000 oxygen concentrators, 10,000 oxygen cylinders and 17 cryogenic oxygen tankers over the next few days. 'For all consignments received via Ministry of External Affairs and coming as donations from foreign countries; the consignee is the Indian Red Cross Society, said Dr. Mittal.MENAFN06052021000063011010ID1102040703