SpiceXpress, the air cargo arm of SpiceJet, has airlifted 1,000 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong to Delhi. These oxygen concentrators, a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air, have been ordered by SpiceHealth for emergency use and distribution across India.
This is the second big consignment of oxygen concentrators ordered and delivered to SpiceHealth. In the last two weeks, more than 2,000 oxygen concentrators have been airlifted by SpiceJet for SpiceHealth. SpiceXpress's B737 freighter aircraft airlifted the consignment. The oxygen concentrators will reach Delhi via Kolkata.
"Considering the current situation across the country, our focus is to airlift as many oxygen concentrators, BiPAPs and other medical devices as possible to cater to the increasing demand. SpiceJet and SpiceHealth are collaborating actively to contribute in our country's dedicated efforts to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic," SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh said.
"We have airlifted more than 2000 oxygen concentrators so far and we are looking at bringing about 20,000 oxygen concentrators in the coming days from across the globe."
SpiceHealth has been actively involved in the country's fight against Covid-19. Since its launch in November 2020, it has conducted more than two million RT-PCR tests and has spread its operations across fives states - Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.
Ireland offers aid
An emergency donation of 700 oxygen concentrators departed Ireland for India on Wednesday in response to the worsening Covid-19 outbreak there, according to a government statement.
A further donation of more life-saving equipment including at least one oxygen generator and 365 ventilators has been agreed and transport arrangements are being made, said the statement posted on the Irish government's website, the Xinhua news agency reported.
The donation of the oxygen concentrators is being made from stocks originally purchased by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of pandemic preparations, said the statement. The HSE is a state agency responsible for public health service in Ireland.
"Once again, the HSE and the Irish people are showing solidarity with India at this time," said the statement, quoting Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The emergency aid offered by Ireland is part of the coordinated effort by the European Union member states currently underway to provide a collaborative response following India's request for assistance, according to the statement.
