India Sends Protective Gears To Serbia Amid Huge Shortage Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Huge shortage of protective gear for medical staff treating coronavirus patients has gripped us, India has exported 90 tons of medical equipment and safety gears to Serbia.

Twitter - UNDP Serbia

The matter came into when the Serbian wing of the UNDP - United Nations Development Programme which is providing support to coronavirus affected nations. The health ministry denied any knowledge on this matter.

The tweet by UNDP said, "The 2nd cargo Boeing 747 with 90t of medical protective equipment landed from India to Belgrade today. The transportation of valuable supplies purchased by @SerbianGov has been fully funded by the #EU while @UNDPSerbia organized the flight & ensured the fastest possible delivery."

The 2nd cargo Boeing 747 with 90t of medical protective equipment landed from India to Belgrade today. The transportation of valuable supplies purchased by @SerbianGov has been fully funded by the #EU while @UNDPSerbia organized the flight & ensured the fastest possible delivery. pic.twitter.com/pMZqV7dwTg

¡ª UNDP in Serbia (@UNDPSerbia) March 29, 2020

The 90 ton consignment included 50 tons of surgical gloves. Besides, there were masks and coveralls, which medical workers need at this point of time.

A spokesperson of Kochi airport said that another consignment was sent on March 29, which included 35 lakh pairs of surgical gloves.

The 30 ton consignment was sent to Belgrade on a Transaviaexport Airlines cargo freighter. As Cochin Customs had facilitated the clearance and tweeted about the same

The tweet said, "Cochin customs in action to clear a consignment of 35 lakh pairs of sterile latex surgical gloves to Serbia to support the global war against #COVID2019 "

When asked about this matter, the health ministry said they were not aware of this. Joint Secretary in MoHFW luv Agrawal said, "Our effort is to create logistics in India and to acquire material from other countries. With respect to Serbia, I am not aware of it as of now."

Nearly 100 doctors have been quarantined after they have come in contact with Covid-19 patients while working without any protective gear and so many have even contracted the virus.

In Lucknow, the authorities of the King George¡¯s Medical University which is the hub of the Covid-19 pandemic in UP, turned down the OPD doctors request for protective gears and equipment and within a week after a resident doctor contracted the disease.

There have been reports about doctors using raincoats and motorbike helmets to protect themselves.

On Monday, the Centre said they are trying to procure bulk quantities of such protective gear (PPE), domestically and from other countries like South Korea and China to meet the shortages.