In a Facebook post written in Hindi, Macron said that France and India have always been united.
“No one is untouched by the epidemic we are going through. We know that India is going through a difficult period. France and India have always been united: we are ready to provide our assistance”
France on Tuesday announced that it is sending to India oxygen generators, liquid oxygen containers, ventilators and other medical supplies by air and sea to support the country in its fight against surging coronavirus cases.
“The departments of our ministries are working hard. Our French companies are mobilizing and they are already in greater numbers,” he added.
“Solidarity is at the heart of our nation. It is at the center of friendship between our countries. We will win together,” he added.
The US, Germany, Britain, Australia, Singapore, Israel and several other countries as well as the World Health Organisation and the European Union have already announced urgent medical assistance to India to help it deal with the situation.
French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said the “massive solidarity mission” is being supported by the European Union and French companies present in India.
The French foreign ministry said the medical supplies will include eight oxygen generators, each capable of uninterrupted supply of oxygen for a 250-bed hospital for nearly 10 years.
“Each unit can uninterruptedly supply a 250-bed hospital. Its oxygen output can fulfil the needs of 15 critically ill Covid-19 patients in an ICU (or 30 patients in the ICU of a conventional hospital) or 150 patients on oxygen therapy in a conventional hospital facility. These oxygen generators also include ramps for filling oxygen cylinders,” it said.
The ministry said five containers of liquid medical oxygen are being sent as part of the first instalment, adding they are capable of supplying medical oxygen to up to 10,000 patients per day.
France is also sending to India 28 ventilators and their consumables, as well as 200 electric syringe pumps.