India has allocated US$1m to Guyana’s COVID-19 fight and Georgetown has also signalled interest to New Delhi in procuring a potential COVID-19 vaccine.
A release yesterday from the Indian High Commission said the assistance is aimed at improving health infrastructure and capacities.
High Commissioner of India, Dr K J Srinivasa disclosed the assistance during a courtesy call on Tuesday on Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony.
The assistance will cater for procurement of life-saving medical supplies and equipment including twenty-nine ventilators, personal protection equipment, face shields, examination gloves, disposable masks, etc.
In this connection, the release said that Anthony also inked a tripartite agreement between Guyana, the Pan American Health Organisation and the United Nations (UN) for enabling procurement of the above items through the UN procurement system at the earliest. About 5-6 ventilators are expected to arrive here next week.
In addition, the release said that India is also providing 30,000 Hydroxy-chloroquine tablets to Guyana as a “gesture of goodwill” in support of its fight against COVID-19.
It is unclear why these tablets are being provided as the World Health Organisation has concluded that Hydroxychloro-quine produces little or no reduction in mortality and there are associated safety concerns.
The release said that Anthony expressed keen interest to continue the bilateral collaboration with India in the medical and healthcare sector. It added that the Minister also sought Indian collaboration in upgrading three Regional Hospitals in West Demerara, Suddie and Bartica at a cost of US$17.5 million; developing a Patient Record-keeping System, private sector investments in the health sector and collaboration in pharmaceuticals manufacturing, medical supplies and drugs.
Guyana’s interest in procuring a potential COVID-19 vaccine from India was also indicated. The High Commissioner offered the assistance and collaboration of India in all possible sectors, the release said.
