RSS
Romania receiving medical assistance from Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, WHO
Romania has received assistance from several European countries - Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland - and the World Health Organisation (WHO) consisting of drugs, equipment, tests, transfers of COVID-19 patients, head of Romania's Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) Raed Arafat announced on Friday.
"Yesterday, we had a videoconference with the Emergency Response Coordination Centre with the European Commission, with all member countries, to discuss the needs of Romania and other countries that are now in trouble, and that established what assistance is to get to Romania soon. Among the aid that has already arrived in Romania, we are talking about Italy: 5,206 vials of monoclonal antibodies, distributed by the Ministry of Health. The medicines reached 134 healthcare facilities with beds to treat 2,603 patients. The support given to us by the Swiss Embassy, in addition to the company that makes Tocilizumab - and we are talking about a number of doses to come - is, unfortunately, one that is limited, but, as you know, Tocilizumab is one of the major problems all over the world, not only in Romania, due to the lack of delivery from the company. There are alternatives, now we are talking about alternatives that can replace them," Arafat said after a government meeting on Friday.
He added that the call for support for various categories of medical equipment and supplies had been forwarded to the European Union and also posted on NATO's disaster support website. "From there, in fact, some countries found out and returned to take an interest in providing support," Arafat explained.
Austria has sent several intensive care drugs, and a military plane has flown two patients from Romania there. With Germany, the official part for the monoclonal antibody doses has already been completed, which will arrive in Romania in the coming days.
The World Health Organisation will send antigen tests and oxygen concentrators, while Poland has provided some equipment and supplies and a second transfer of patients to the country took place on Friday.
"Hungary's support continues to take over patients. There are already over 30 patients there and the support continues, we are conducting talks with our colleagues at the Response Coordination Centre and the border counties to send patients when needed, "Arafat added.