Ireland announced on Tuesday it is sending 700 oxygen concentrators from its stockpile to back India’s Covid-19 response, joining the growing list of countries that are rushing aid to help health facilities tackle a severe shortage of oxygen.
The concentrators, devices that draw oxygen from the air and deliver it to patients, are expected to reach India early on Wednesday.
Ireland has also pledged to send ventilators to India as a gesture of solidarity that is part of the European Union’s (EU) coordinated response to help the country cope with the massive surge in Covid-19 cases.
Irish ambassador Brendan Ward said: “The situation in India is being followed closely in Ireland, where there is now a large Indian community. Indian medical professionals are very important to our health system.
“We are pleased to be able to offer these oxygen concentrators now. We are in close contact with the Indian government and we are looking at what further assistance we could offer, such as ventilators and other equipment.”
