The Biden administration’s top medical adviser on the COVID-19 pandemic says the U.S. is actively looking at ways to boost aid to India as it grapples with surging coronavirus cases.
Dr. Anthony Fauci told ABC’s “This Week”; that several measures are being considered, including sending over oxygen supplies, COVID-19 tests, drug treatments and personal protective equipment.
Read more: ‘It’s over’: India COVID-19 patients suffocate as cases surge during oxygen shortage
The outbreak in India adds to the pressure on President Joe Biden to provide vaccines to other countries. Biden has said the U.S. won’t begin doing so until it has enough supplies at home.
Fauci said Sunday that the U.S. would review how to help increase India’s vaccine supply, such as by sending them doses or helping them “to essentially make vaccines themselves.”;
He said, quote: “Bottom line, it’s a terrible situation that’s going on in India and other lower middle-income countries, and there is more we can do.”;
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has also declared that it is ready to supply India with medical equipment as needed.
Read more: As COVID-19 cases explode in India, Canada ready to help with medical supplies: Anand
“We are in touch with India and our High Commissioner in India Nadir Patel about a number of options that may be on the table for us to assist,”; procurement minister Anita Anand said during a press conference Friday when asked whether Canada would step in to help.
“We will stand ready with PPE and ventilators and any items that might be useful for the government of India.”;
— With files from Global News
