India on Monday dispatched about three tonnes of anti-tuberculosis medicines to Sri Lanka aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the island nation’s public health system.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the dispatch, saying the medicines were being transported to Colombo aboard an IAF C-130J aircraft. The assistance comes amid continuing cooperation between the two countries in healthcare and forms part of India’s broader engagement with Sri Lanka under its Neighbourhood First policy.
Medicines sent to Colombo
The consignment comprises around three tonnes of medicines used in the treatment of tuberculosis. The supplies were dispatched on Monday for Colombo with support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Indian Air Force.
“India remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s public health system,” Jaishankar said while announcing the assistance. He also referred to India’s Neighbourhood First policy and its MAHASAGAR vision while highlighting the dispatch.
Health ties deepen
The latest assistance comes less than two weeks after work began on a new Accident and Emergency Unit at the District General Hospital in Mannar with financial assistance from India.
The foundation stone for the two-storey facility was laid on September 16 in the presence of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.
Rs 17 crore grant
The Mannar hospital project is being supported through an Indian grant of SLR 600 million, or around Rs 17 crore. Once completed, the facility is expected to strengthen emergency medical services and improve access to critical healthcare for people in Mannar and surrounding areas.
The project adds to India’s development partnership with Sri Lanka, which has included assistance in healthcare infrastructure, medicines and other essential supplies.
Earlier medical assistance
India has provided medical assistance to Sri Lanka on several occasions, including during the country’s economic crisis when shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies affected its healthcare system.
The latest consignment puts the focus specifically on tuberculosis treatment, adding another component to bilateral cooperation in public health.
Neighbourhood First
New Delhi has placed Sri Lanka prominently within its Neighbourhood First policy, with healthcare forming one of the areas of bilateral development cooperation alongside housing, connectivity, energy, education and community infrastructure.
The dispatch also comes as India seeks to deepen cooperation with Indian Ocean countries under its MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — vision.