Britain will give another 1,000 ventilators to India, the government stated on Sunday. Britain is increasing its support towards India as the healthcare system struggles to deal with a huge surge in cases of COVID-19.
India has recorded over 300,000 daily cases for more than 10 days straight, leaving hospitals, morgues, and crematoriums.
Britain earlier agreed to send 600 medical devices, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators.
“This support will help urgently meet some of India’s acute needs, particularly oxygen for patients,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated. “We are determined to help our Indian friends in their hour of need.”
Top health officials of Britain have also conversed with their Indian counterparts to offer advice.
Other countries, including the United States, Germany, and Pakistan, are also assisting support to India. India’s number of infections with daily toll has reached 392,488 and a total death toll of over 215,000.
The latest assistance from Britain comes ahead of a call between prime ministers Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi, scheduled for Tuesday, which will look at deepening bilateral ties.
The meeting replaces the in-person visit Johnson was due to make in April. Because of the surge in infections, Johnson had to cancel the visit.
Modi’s government is unwilling to impose a national lockdown, but around 10 Indian states and union territories have imposed some form of restrictions.
