Latvia & UNDP India partner to provide ‘critical medical equipment’ to Nagaland

An AgVa ventilator. (Photo @UNDP_India/Twitter)

An AgVa ventilator. (Photo @UNDP_India/Twitter)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 16 

The Government of Latvia and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have partnered to ensure availability of critical medical equipment in Nagaland.

For the initiative, Latvia contributed USD 60,000 for the procurement of medical equipment, as part of the broader European Union's assistance to India’s response to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, informed a joint statement used by Embassy of Latvia and UNDP India.

These funds will be used to purchase Indian-made AgVa ventilators, it said. The ventilators, according to an update by UNDP on Twitter, were procured to be distributed to hospitals in Nagaland.

Latvia’s critical support would allow UNDP to ensure further strengthening of the health systems through procuring critical medical equipment for the state of Nagaland, Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India was quoted as saying in the statement.  
 As the pandemic continues to threaten millions of lives and overwhelm the health, UNDP urgently needs additional support and resources to reach the last mile to ensure no one is left behind,” she added. 

Ambassador of Latvia to India Artis Bèrtulis also noted in an interconnected world, the battle against the invisible enemy should be a global and united effort and added: “It is as simple as that: no one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said. 

“India has been an invaluable driving force in the COVAX mission, and it is just fair that we give a helping hand to our Indian friends at this difficult time. I am very pleased to be working with UNDP in India to contribute to building the capacity of the Indian health system,” he added. 

The statement further said that European Union stands in full solidarity with India to provide support for COVID-19 response through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and individual government to government and business-to-business partnerships. 

The UNDP has also been supporting the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with digitisation of supply chain of vaccines and tracking beneficiaries across states and has helped build capacities of 820,500 frontline workers across the country to support the ‘world’s largest vaccination drive,’ it added. 

Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio took to Twitter to expressed his gratitude to the Government of Latvia and UNDP India for the “outpouring of support” given to Nagaland during the unprecedented and challenging times.

“The critical life-saving equipment will further strengthen the health system, he added, further thanking the Ambassador Bèrtulis.

‘A friend of all seasons’ 
The Government of Nagaland and Latvia, particularly through its Embassy in New Delhi, have been building a strong relationship in the recent past. 

Through connection and friendship, Ambassador Bertulis has favourably recommended for the Latvia’s assistance to India to be extended to Nagaland, said Adviser to the Chief Minister of Nagaland Abu Metha.

It must be noted here that Ambassador Bertulis during his first Official visit to the State in February 2020 expressed the desire to collaborate for promotion of culture, music, tourism and education in the state. Among others, he met State’s Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and TaFMA advisor and 

Besides jointly releasing a Coffee Table Book of Hornbill Music Festival 2019 with Chief Minister, Bertulis also attended a choral concert at Patkai Christian College. In the Nagaland-leg of Choral Festival conducted by Jonas Ozols and Laura Jekabsone, the Embassy of Latvia collaborated with Hope Centre for Excellence, Patkai Christian College and the Associate Board of Royal School of Music (ABRSM). 

Later on October 2, 2020, CM Rio and Ambassador Bertulis announced the institutional partnership between the Riga Cathedral Choir School, Latvia, and the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Nagaland to “pursue ways and means for artistic pursuits and exchange of knowledge and cultural programs between Latvia and Nagaland, India.”