London:
The world’s biggest cargo plane left Belfast in Northern Ireland on Friday, carrying 3 18-tonne oxygen generators and 1,000 ventilators as element of the UK’s most up-to-date response to India’s COVID-19 crisis, the British government stated.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which has funded to supplies, stated airport employees worked by way of the evening to load the life-saving kit aboard the huge Antonov 124 aircraft, which is anticipated to land in Delhi at 0800 IST on Sunday morning following which the Indian Red Cross will assist transfer them to hospitals.
Each of the 3 oxygen generation units – the size of 40 foot freight containers – produces 500 litres of oxygen per minute, sufficient for 50 people today to use at a time.
“The UK is sending surplus oxygen generators from Northern Ireland to India. This life-saving equipment will support the country’s hospitals as they care for vulnerable COVID patients,” stated UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
“The UK and India are working together to tackle this pandemic. No-one is safe until we are all safe,” he stated.
The most up-to-date set of supplies have been announced earlier and stick to 200 ventilators and 495 oxygen concentrators sent from the UK to India last month, also funded by the FCDO. The help package has been sourced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the provide by Northern Ireland’s overall health service is in addition to 1,000 ventilators provided by the DHSC.
“The situation in India is heart-breaking and we stand side by side with our friends as they face this immense challenge,” stated UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
“As we battle this global pandemic together, the vital equipment we are providing, including ventilators and oxygen generators, will help save lives and support India’s healthcare system. As one United Kingdom we will continue to do all we can to help the Indian health authorities turn the tide on this dreadful virus,” he stated.
Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann was at Belfast International Airport to see the surplus oxygen generators supplied by his division loaded onto the giant cargo plane.
“The scenes coming out of India are a vivid reminder of the devastation this virus can cause and it shows no sign of abating,” stated Swann.
“It is our moral duty to help and support where we can. Oxygen supply is under severe stress in India’s health system and the three oxygen generation units that we are sending today are each capable of producing 500 litres of oxygen per minute. I sincerely hope this equipment goes some way to easing the pressure and pain the country is currently experiencing,” he stated.
India is undergoing a devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a shortage of crucial health-related gear and supplies. The UK is amongst numerous nations that have stepped in with provides of assistance from their surplus stocks throughout the crisis.
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