Russia offers oxygen and Remdesivir to India, imports likely to begin in the next 15 days

Amid the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the shortage of medical oxygen and remdesivir medicine supplies, Russia has offered to supply both to India and the imports are set to begin in 15 days.

Indian hospitals have been reporting dwindling supplies of oxygen due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country. Stocks of antiviral drug Remdesivir, used to treat the disease, have also been running out. Moscow has said it can supply 300,000-400,000 Remdesivir injections per week, which would be increased. Talks are on to begin oxygen supplies by ship soon, officials said. Meanwhile, the supply of medical oxygen from Russia to India is also expected to begin soon via ships. India is said to be planning to import 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to meet the surge in demand. For oxygen supply, the government estimates peg daily capacity increase of 1,800 metric tonne (to 7,800 MT) from 6,000 MT a few weeks back—the daily use of medical oxygen has jumped to 4,000 MT.

The issues were taken up for discussion at a meeting, held by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal with the Indian missions abroad, on the ways to combat the pandemic.