MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the supply of vaccines to countries will begin gradually over the coming weeks and months, but will ensure that the national vaccination program's domestic requirements are taken into account.
India provided various countries with 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines, out of which 67.5 lakh doses were provided as grant assistance and 294.44 lakh on a commercial basis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.
MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the supply of vaccines to countries will begin gradually over the coming weeks and months, but will ensure that the national vaccination program's domestic requirements are taken into account.
"We have delivered a total of 361.94 lakh doses to different countries as of now. This covers 67.5 lakh doses given under grant assistance and 294.44 lakh doses provided under separate commercial contracts, "He said at a briefing online.
India has also provided locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their country-based families, Srivastava said.
"It was given not only to national diplomats but also to those of United Nations agencies and intergovernmental organizations operating in India. All the places where they are located will cover this drive, "And he said.
To the issue of the 'Covid-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward' workshop with 10 neighboring countries held on 18 February and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava, among other items, the PM proposed a special visa scheme for physicians and nurses, a regional air ambulance agreement for medical contingencies, the development of a regional forum for medical contingencies
He also suggested the development of a regional network to encourage technology-assisted epidemiology to avoid possible pandemics.
Srivastava said these recommendations were very well received by the participating countries and, in consultation with the ministries concerned, follow-up action is being taken.
In countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados, and Dominica, India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts.
Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Kuwait, and the UAE are all countries that have received vaccines on a commercial basis.
In a big announcement, India said on January 19 that it will send vaccines to many countries under grant assistance.
India is one of the world's biggest drug producers, and it has already been approached by a growing number of countries to procure coronavirus vaccines.
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