Unicef said hospitals and health centres across India were struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of new cases and need more oxygen concentrators, rapid testing kits and critical healthcare.

Unicef’s Malaysia representative Dr Rashed Mustafa Sarwar said the health system in India is severely stretched because of the latest deadly wave of Covid-19 cases in the country.

“We cannot leave India to fight this alone. We must act urgently to prevent further loss of lives.

“Unicef has provided lifesaving oxygen supplies and other critically needed emergency equipment for an immediate response, but much more is needed as the outbreak continues to spread rapidly,” he said.

Unicef said it is seeking RM86 million for the urgent delivery of critical supplies, including oxygen products and rapid testing kits, as well as more than RM205 million for lifesaving Covid-19 interventions across all sectors in India.

“A unit of oxygen concentrator that can help Covid-19 patients breathe and save lives costs RM3,200. It takes just 10 generous donors to give RM320 each to help us reach that goal,” it said.

It said critical lifesaving supplies, including 3,000 oxygen concentrators, 500 high-flow nasal cannulas and 85 RT-PCR test kits, were sent to help India in its battle with Covid-19.

The UN agency also said it had been assisting the Indian government in ensuring critical services for the most vulnerable to continue functioning.

It said organisations that would like to raise funds for India could contact the Unicef donor services team.

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