The Indian Air Force lifted medicines from airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Madurai and delivered to the Maldives.
Amidst the global coronavirus crisis, India launched an 18-hour operation called 'Operation Sanjeevani' to deliver 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines and hospital consumables to Maldives. The Indian Air Force lifted medicines from airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Madurai and delivered to the Maldives. The Indian Army facilitated the transport of these medicines and consumables from warehouses across India to the respective airports.
Speaking on the development, Indian envoy to Maldives, Sanjay Sudhir, said, "We have been able to carry Operation Sanjeevani with help of Indian armed forces. It is very important assistance to the Maldives. Maldives has been one of the foremost countries which has received Indian assistance during COVID crisis. It is a growing example of India's neighbourhood first policy and reciprocation of Maldives' India first policy. Friendship in action!"
Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid thanked India for the support and in a tweet said, "Friends & partners indeed! Thank u #India for facilitating the transfer of 6.2 tonnes of medicines procured by STO from Indian cities to #Maldives."
Adding, "Special thanks to PM @narendramodi & EAM @DrSJaishankar for this timely support! Close cooperation is essential to overcome #COVID19"
The medicines include influenza vaccines, anti-viral drugs such as Lopinavir and Ritonavir which have been used to treat patients with COVID-19 in other countries, medicines for cardiac conditions, kidney ailments, hypertension as well as consumables such as catheters, nebulisers, urine bags and infant feeding tubes.
India has been assisting Maldives during the COVID-19 crisis. New Delhi gifted 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines to the Maldives on March 14, 2020, and also sent a 14-member COVID-19 Rapid Response Team of doctors to enhance preparedness. It had evacuated nine Maldives nationals from Wuhan which was once the epicentre of the crisis.
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