By Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Canada is sending medical equipment and drugs to help India in its fight against a surge in Covid-19 cases that has crippled its healthcare system.

The government will ship 350 ventilators and 25,000 vials of the antiviral remdesivir from its National Emergency Strategic Stockpile, Health Canada said in a release Wednesday.

Remdesivir is used in the treatment of patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19.

“Canada continues to stand in solidarity with the people of India,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau. “We must all unite in this hour of need and work together in the global fight against this virus that is devastating lives across the globe.”

Health Canada says the donation will not affect Canada’s response to the pandemic at home.

The supplies will be airlifted to India by the Canadian Armed Forces.

The supplies are in addition to Canada’s $10-million support to the Canadian Red Cross Society, which is supporting the Indian Red Cross Society’s procurement of essential supplies and medicines.

(Eagle News Service)