Neighbourhood First: India Makes Urgent Supply of BCG Vaccines to Maldives

India on Male’s request has urgently dispatched a supply of 2400 vials of BCG vaccine to bridge a shortfall in the National Immunization Programme of the Maldives.

The dispatched supply of BCG NSE 4.40 % vaccines reached Maldives on Thursday. The BCG vaccine is administered to babies to prevent tuberculosis.

The Ministry of Health and Ministry of External Affairs procured the vaccine and coordinated its dispatch with the help of the High Commission of Maldives in Delhi, the Honorary Consul of Maldives in Mumbai, and the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The health sector is a principal and long-standing pillar of bilateral cooperation between India and the Maldives. It may be recalled that India had dispatched 30,000 doses of the Measles Rubella vaccine in January 2020. Partnership in the health sector strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many instances of bilateral cooperation, and assistance provided throughout the year.

This included the deployment of a medical team from India to assess preparedness in March 2020; gifting of 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines as well as airlifting 6.3 tonnes of essential medicines and consumables from various cities in India in April 2020; and the granting of permissions for critically ill Maldivians to access healthcare in India in August 2020. Moreover, various online training programmes were conducted for Maldivian healthcare officials to strengthen capacities.

India’s Neighbourhood First foreign policy has demonstrated time and again, willingness and ability to assist Maldives with speed and scale, in times of need, officials said.

“In response to an urgent request by the Government of #Maldives, the Government of #India has provided 2400 vials of BCG vaccine (2400 vials of 10 doses each). The consignment arrived in the Maldives today,” Maldives Foreign Ministry tweeted. “The Government of Maldives extends its deepest appreciation to Prime Minister of India, the Government and the people of India for its timely assistance at all times.” Maldives government noted in a statement.

Source: ET