COVID-19 has been wreaking havoc across the world. To help doctors better contain this novel coronavirus, Jack Ma has donated a ton of medical supplies to the US, Africa and other countries around the globe, and now, his help arrives in India.
Last night, the first batch of medical supplies arrived in Delhi. India is one of the seven countries to have received this aid, including Azerbaijan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The shipment included a total of 1.7 million face masks, 165,000 test kits as well as protective clothing and medical equipment such as ventilators and forehead thermometers.?
With this, Jack Ma now donated essential medical supplies to 23 Asian countries totalling 7.4 million masks; 485,000 test kits; 100,000 sets of protective clothing along with other medical equipment.
The shipment in India was received by the Indian Red Cross Society. They will facilitate the distribution of these supplies in the country. The remainder of the donation is expected to reach India in the coming days.
Mr R.K Jain, Secretary-General, Indian Red Cross, said in a statement, ¡°Government of India has taken extensive steps to manage the COVID-19 situation. To supplement the efforts of government, Indian Red Cross has mobilised the first tranche of supplies consisting of facemasks, protective body suits and essential medical equipment.¡±
He further added, ¡°This consignment, which was received last night, has been donated by Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation. Indian Red Cross appreciates their magnanimity at this difficult juncture.¡±
Today, the disease is spreading at an exponential rate in India infecting over 800 people and claiming the lives of 24 people.
The 55-year old billionaire has already donated millions of masks and test kids in countries like Japan, South Korea, Europe and Iran as the number of cases kept rising in these places. In January, he pledged Rs 100 crores for helping scientists develop vaccines for COVID-19.