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26th Apr 2021

Ireland to send 700 oxygen concentrators to India to help fight Covid-19 emergency

Clara Kelly

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said that the donation will be part of “a wider EU response”.

Ireland is set to donate 700 oxygen concentrators to India to help the country fight it’s current Covid-19 emergency.

The plan was developed in coordination with the Department of Health, Foreign Affairs and Housing, and Local Government.

The donation is taken from stocks originally purchased by the HSE as part of pandemic preparations for use in field hospital settings.

Confirming the news on Monday Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “We have all seen the rapidly deteriorating situation in relation to Covid-19 in India.

“I am pleased that Ireland is in a position to make this emergency donation of 700 oxygen concentrators to India.

“These machines will support frontline healthcare workers in India to deliver care to patients who need it.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney added that Ireland’s donation will be part of “a wider EU response”.

“Ireland is among the first states to confirm concrete support to India,” he said.

“We are glad to provide this support at a time of such need and to be doing so as part of a wider EU response.”

India reported more than 350,000 confirmed cases in 24 hours on Monday with many hospitals turning away patients due to a lack of oxygen and beds.

It was the fifth day in a row that cases in the country hit a record peak, prompting pledges of aid from a range of countries across the world.

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