The assistance will support access to COVID-19 testing, pandemic-related mental health services, timely referrals to medical services, and access to healthcare…reports Asian Lite News
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday announced $41 million in support to help India respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen the country’s preparedness for COVID-19 and future health emergencies.
India came to the assistance of the United States during this country’s time of need, and now the United States stands with the people of India as they continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, said a USAID statement on Monday.
This assistance will support access to COVID-19 testing, pandemic-related mental health services, timely referrals to medical services, and access to healthcare in remote areas, it stated.
Through this additional funding, USAID will continue to partner with India to strengthen healthcare supply chains and electronic health information systems, support its vaccination efforts, and mobilize and coordinate private sector relief, the statement added.
Prior to the additional funding announced on Monday, USAID has contributed more than $200 million for India’s COVID-19 relief and response efforts since the pandemic began, it said further.
This announcement by US’s aid agency comes on the day when senior American lawmakers in the US House of Representatives urged the Biden administration to facilitate private, in-kind medical supply donations to India.
Lawmakers also called upon the US federal government to work to deliver additional, urgently needed medical supplies to India, including oxygen generator plants and a cryogenic oxygen tanker and containers.
The bipartisan resolution introduced by Congressmen Brad Sherman and Steve Chabot, co-chairs of the India Caucus, stands with the people of India as they collectively work to stem the spread of Covid-19 throughout the country.
Earlier this month, several US lawmakers had urged the Biden administration to ensure India receives more COVID-19 vaccine supplies and medical aid.
On June 21, the White House announced the allocation plan for 55 million of the 80 million doses of America’s own vaccine supply to the world that included 16 million for Asia that includes India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others. (INN)
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