Highlighting Qatar as a major transport and logistic hub in carrying global aid to India to combat the Covid-19 pandemic situation, Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal, on Wednesday said in Doha that about 1,200 metric tons of liquid oxygen will be sent from Qatar to India in the next six to eight weeks.
Speaking to the media, Mittal expressed deep gratitude and appreciation of the efforts of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to extend all support to India to face the challenges posed by Covid-19.
He also thanked Qatar Airways for its special offer to carry all global aid to India free of charge.
“Two cryogenic oxygen tanks carrying 40 metric tons of liquid oxygen are expected to leave from Qatar today. The tanks are with the support of French government and the Gazal Company in Qatar is filling the liquid medical oxygen in Qatar. It is a display of global solidarity.
"This is the first such shipment and multiple such shipments will be sent in the coming weeks,” Mittal said.
The envoy said Qatar has been at the forefront in helping India.
“Qatar Airways will carry all the medical essentials from around the world, free of charge. Recently, three flights left for Indian with medical supplies. They are now working to carry 4,100 oxygen cylinders from London presented by British Oxygen Company to be airlifted in a few days,” he revealed.
“There is a strong logistic support here and Qatar has emerged as one of the very important logistic hubs for supporting India from wherever the assistance is coming. Qatar Airways is co-ordinating and Qatar has become a logistic transportation centre in the venture,” added Mittal.
The envoy noted that the leadership including His Highness the Amir has been in touch with Indian government offering all help.“India has received tremendous support from government of Qatar as well as several other countries around the world.
"The Qatar Fund for Development is working on supplying more medical aids at the instruction of His Highness the Amir. In India, we truly appreciate it and thank Qatar for the same. It means a lot for my country and is a sign of great friendship,” he said.
Mittal also appreciated the efforts of the India community in Qatar in mobilising essentials during the challenging times. “The Indian community in Qatar has already moblised a lot of supplies. They have supplied 200 oxygen cylinders and 43 oxygen concentrators, which were sent on board an Indian Naval ship.
"The community is also organising 200 more oxygen cylinders and 100 of them are expected to leave today. Another 100 will leave on May 8 or May 9 on another Indian Naval ship that arrives at Hamad Port. Each one is a 42-litre cylinder.
"The Indian Community Benevolent Forum is co-ordinating the efforts,” he said.
According to Mittal, the number of daily Covid cases in India has been decreasing for two days from over 400,000 to about 368,000 and this trajectory is visible in mortality rates too.
The envoy elaborated on the Covid-19 scenario in India and how its second wave has affected the population as several variants of the virus became virulent resulting in the huge demand for oxygen.
“In March this year, the demand for medical oxygen was about 1,100 metric tons. Now the demand after a month is about 8,000 metric tons.
"Oxygen challenge is a major issue as the deadly variant of the virus is creating more breathing issues for the affected. Industrial oxygen is currently being used and more oxygen is being sourced from other countries including Gulf countries.
"Transportation of oxygen (within India) is another challenge and we have started Oxygen Express with the help of Indian Railways and Indian Air Force,” he added.
Speaking to the media, Mittal expressed deep gratitude and appreciation of the efforts of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to extend all support to India to face the challenges posed by Covid-19.
He also thanked Qatar Airways for its special offer to carry all global aid to India free of charge.
“Two cryogenic oxygen tanks carrying 40 metric tons of liquid oxygen are expected to leave from Qatar today. The tanks are with the support of French government and the Gazal Company in Qatar is filling the liquid medical oxygen in Qatar. It is a display of global solidarity.
"This is the first such shipment and multiple such shipments will be sent in the coming weeks,” Mittal said.
The envoy said Qatar has been at the forefront in helping India.
“Qatar Airways will carry all the medical essentials from around the world, free of charge. Recently, three flights left for Indian with medical supplies. They are now working to carry 4,100 oxygen cylinders from London presented by British Oxygen Company to be airlifted in a few days,” he revealed.
“There is a strong logistic support here and Qatar has emerged as one of the very important logistic hubs for supporting India from wherever the assistance is coming. Qatar Airways is co-ordinating and Qatar has become a logistic transportation centre in the venture,” added Mittal.
The envoy noted that the leadership including His Highness the Amir has been in touch with Indian government offering all help.“India has received tremendous support from government of Qatar as well as several other countries around the world.
"The Qatar Fund for Development is working on supplying more medical aids at the instruction of His Highness the Amir. In India, we truly appreciate it and thank Qatar for the same. It means a lot for my country and is a sign of great friendship,” he said.
Mittal also appreciated the efforts of the India community in Qatar in mobilising essentials during the challenging times. “The Indian community in Qatar has already moblised a lot of supplies. They have supplied 200 oxygen cylinders and 43 oxygen concentrators, which were sent on board an Indian Naval ship.
"The community is also organising 200 more oxygen cylinders and 100 of them are expected to leave today. Another 100 will leave on May 8 or May 9 on another Indian Naval ship that arrives at Hamad Port. Each one is a 42-litre cylinder.
"The Indian Community Benevolent Forum is co-ordinating the efforts,” he said.
According to Mittal, the number of daily Covid cases in India has been decreasing for two days from over 400,000 to about 368,000 and this trajectory is visible in mortality rates too.
The envoy elaborated on the Covid-19 scenario in India and how its second wave has affected the population as several variants of the virus became virulent resulting in the huge demand for oxygen.
“In March this year, the demand for medical oxygen was about 1,100 metric tons. Now the demand after a month is about 8,000 metric tons.
"Oxygen challenge is a major issue as the deadly variant of the virus is creating more breathing issues for the affected. Industrial oxygen is currently being used and more oxygen is being sourced from other countries including Gulf countries.
"Transportation of oxygen (within India) is another challenge and we have started Oxygen Express with the help of Indian Railways and Indian Air Force,” he added.
