New Delhi. 11 May 2020. In response to the pandemic, India has readily come to the assistance of, inter alia, various African countries affected by COVID-19. This is in keeping with India’s traditionally strong bonds of friendship and solidarity with Africa, which has reached new heights in the last few years.
India is dispatching packages of medicines to more than 25 countries in Africa. This package of medicines includes hydroxychloroquine, paracetamol and other drugs which are immediately required to fight the pandemic. These medicines are expected to complement the national efforts of the various countries in Africa to combat the pandemic.
Prime Minister Modi had telephonic conversation on April 17, 2020 with President Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union. Prime Minister, in his conversation, conveyed India’s full support for the joint African effort against the virus. PM had a telephone conversation on April 9, 2020 with H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republc of Uganda. PM also spoke to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed on May 6, 2020.
Earlier during the month April 2020, External Affairs Minister had also spoken to his counterparts in several African countries to reiterate India’s solidarity with African people in the fight against COVID-19 and offered them all assistance. His offer was deeply appreciated by these countries.The e-ITEC course for healthcare workers and others on “COVID-19 Pandemic : Prevention and Management Guidelines for healthcare professional” organised by the Ministry of External Affairs along with its partner AIIMS Raipur is also now been extended to all healthcare workers of Africa.
This initiative of the Ministry has been widely welcomed. It is worth mentioning that more than 40% of all the training and capacity building slots under ITEC programme has traditionally been earmarked for African countries.
