India Is Well-Stocked With Medicines To Contain Coronavirus, No Dependence On China: Dr Harshvardhan

ndia is not dependent on China for medicines to contain coronavirus, Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan told media on Thursday. Addressing a presser on the deadly virus, Dr Harshvardhan said that India has a well-maintained stock of medicines required to combat coronavirus.

“Union Minister (Independent Charge) of Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Mansukh Mandaviya has informed us that they have kept ready extra stocking of medicines required to contain coronavirus for the next 2-3 months in India,” the health minister said.

“We have banned N95 masks export as well in the wake of the emergency we are facing. There is a list of 15-16 items that are required to handle these emergencies. These are also being sent to China as a goodwill gesture,” he said.

Dr Harshvardhan informed media that the Group of Ministers constituted to take stock of the spread of Coronavirus in India, has been informed that the ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has been made a nodal centre for coordinating diagnostics for COVID-19.

“Fourteen regional labs have also been activated, standardised and are testing samples,” Dr Harshvardhan said.

“The GOM was also briefed that as of today, a total of 2,315 flights have been screened covering a total of 2,49,447 passengers. Screening of passengers is ongoing in 21 airports, international seaports and border crossings particularly with Nepal,” the minister said.

Dr Harshavardhan also said that 15,991 people are under surveillance in India currently. He said that 15 laboratories have been created and the number can be quickly scaled to 50.-India Today