QEH gets USD$100 000 donation from Indian Government to tackle COVID

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is better equipped to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic after receiving USD $100 000 in equipment and medication from the Government of India.

Dr Mohini Harris, Honorary Consul to India presented the donation to QEH Director of Support Services, Louise Bobb on Wednesday.

The hospital will receive technical assistance, medical supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the presentation ceremony, Saifya Patel, assistant to the Honorary Consul, revealed that India has actively responded to the pandemic by building 1 600 labs across the country and is the second-largest producer of PPE kits. Additionally, the Indian Government has provided essential drugs and medical supplies to over 150 countries across the world, including the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Presently, India is also developing a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Global access to medicine, vaccines and medical equipment to combat covid-19 is vital for all countries and peoples. India strongly believes that there should be free and open sharing of medical research, new drugs, and vaccines,” Patel said, speaking on behalf of the Government of India.

She added: “We are happy to see that the spread of COVID-19 in Barbados has been contained remarkably under the dynamic relationship of Honourable Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley. India remains committed to supporting its friends and is happy to contribute . . . This gesture is a symbol of solidarity and the strong and friendly bilateral relations that exist between India and Barbados”.

Louise Bobb, QEH Director of Support Services, expressed her sincere gratitude for the timely donation. She stated that it would tremendously help the state-owned hospital as it sought to “wrestle down” the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure the safety of its patients and staff.

“In a time like this where the whole world is battling to wrestle down this pandemic called coronavirus charitable giving as such as been displayed by the Government of India, one of the larger jurisdictions to a large country like Barbados is extremely appreciated. It more than charitable giving it is donating from the heart of one nation to the body of another,” Bobb said.

Source  : http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/qeh-gets-us100-000-donation-indian-government-tackle-covid