Bhutan gets Covishield vaccine from India, PM Lotay Tshering calls it 'gesture of compassion and generosity'
Bhutan's PM Lotay Tshering said it was a gift from a "trusted friend" who has been with Bhutan all through the decades and in this pandemic too.
Bhutan on Wednesday became the first country to receive "Made in India" COVID vaccines with an Indian Air Force's AN32 landing in the country with 150,000 doses of it. Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, Health minister Dechen Wangmo, Foreign secretary Kinga Singye and India's Ambassador to the country Ruchira Kamboj were present on the occasion.
The country received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India Covishield after five days of massive vaccination drives going in India. Bhutan's Prime Minister said it was a gift from a "trusted friend" who has been with Bhutan all through the decades and in this pandemic too.
PM Lotay said, "As we celebrate the arrival of the vaccine as the new milestone in our battle to beat the pandemic at home, we applaud the gesture that signifies the compassion and generosity of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and the people of India for the wellbeing of the humanity".
The Indian government has assured to cover the two doses requirement for Bhutan's target population of around 533,500 and has committed to deliver the remaining consignments soon.
The Bhutanese PM further said that India reached out despite challenges, "It is of unimaginable value when precious commodities are shared even before meeting your own needs, as opposed to giving out only after you have enough"
"It is the display of altruism at best, and an exhibit of India's sincerity in the relationship we cherish. These will all translate into the prayers and prosperity of the people of India, emanating from the grateful hearts of Bhutan" he added.
Amid the pandemic, India handed over ten consignments of medical supplies, portable X-Ray machines, essential medicines, and medical equipment to Bhutan. Before the vaccine delivery, India organized a training program for immunization managers, cold chain officers, communication officers, and data managers from Bhutan, both at national and provincial levels.
India will be giving covid vaccines to 6 neighboring countries Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Seychelles. While Bhutan. The Maldives already received the vaccine on Wednesday. Whereas, Nepal and Bangladesh will receive it on Thursday. India is giving Nepal 1 million doses of vaccine, while Bangladesh gets 2 million.