India's vaccine producing capacity is an asset to world, says UN Chief

UN Chief praises India's vaccine producing capacity

With the onset of World's largest vaccination drive in India, the country has surpassed leading nations like US and UK both in terms of production and inoculation. After the approval of Oxford's AstraZeneca Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, India began the drive on 16 January 2021 and the number of doses being administered is rising with each day. Responding to this, United Nations' Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday lauded India for its vaccine production capacity and termed it as "best asset" in the world.

The UN Chief said while addressing the reporters, "India's undaunted level of production is a boon to the world and we are in constant talks with the institutions. We hope for India's capability and contribution to take part in the global vaccination campaign and fight the pandemic together. The country's production is an asset to the world if we make full use of it".

On the front of democratisation of access to medicines he said, "The attempt to democratise the access of medicine is an important element in Covid relief. I raise an appeal today to grant licenses for vaccine production around the world to develop already existing vaccines." His statement made headlines after India supplied around 55 lakh doses to neighbouring countries. In a briefing at External Affairs Ministry (EAM) on Thursday, spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India will export vaccines to Oman, CARICOM countries, Nicaragua and Pacific Island states.

Srivastava further declared that India is planning to supply 10 million doses to Africa and 10 lakh to the United Nations health workers abiding by GAVI's (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) COVAX facility. "Whole world is captivated after seeing India's potential vaccination drive and many countries have expressed interest in access to Indian vaccines. Affirming on PM Narendra Modi's statement on international cooperation to combat pandemic, India is looking forward to helping the world," Srivastava said.

After 20 January 2021 India has supplied around 55 lakh doses to the neighborhood with 1.5 lakh to Bhutan, 1 lakh to Mauritius, Bahrain and Maldives, 10 lakh to Nepal, 15 lakh to Myanmar, 20 lakh to Bangladesh, 5 lakh to Sri Lanka and 50,000 to Seychelles.