Foreign Covid Aid Pours In, But "Teething Problems" In Distribution

Twenty flights have arrived with foreign aid but a large number of oxygen concentrators and Remdesivir have been stuck at customs for weeks.

As the world responds to India's Covid SOS, questions have emerged over whether foreign aid, including a vast number of oxygen machines and life-saving drugs, is reaching its destination. Government officials admit to "teething problems" in distributing foreign aid. To tackle one of them - delays at customs - the government today put out an online form for importers. Twenty flights have arrived with foreign aid but a large number of oxygen concentrators and Remdesivir have been stuck at customs for weeks. Sheer logistics and "compatibility problems" are causing delays, officials have told NDTV. "The first priority is to send foreign aid to government hospitals since they offer these facilities free of cost," the official said. For example, he explained, oxygen cylinders that arrived from the UK were sent to Delhi's Lady Hardinge hospital, Safdarjung, AIIMS and DRDO hospitals in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Patna.