Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), a member of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans, sent a letter to President Biden expressing concern with the deadly second wave of COVID-19 in India and requesting further aid to the country. Specifically, the letter asks for additional shipments of oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oxygen generator plants, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, ventilators/BiPAP machines, and surplus vaccines.
This letter highlights the recommendations that the Co-Chairs of the House Caucus on India and India Americans made last week.
The letter said in part, “Over the past several weeks, I have heard from constituents who fear for the health and safety of their family members in India. They worry that their loved ones will join those who are unable to locate oxygen or seek the care they need from overwhelmed hospitals and a healthcare system on the verge of collapse.
“I thank you for ordering the delivery of supplies worth more than $100 million to provide urgent relief to India. From oxygen systems and personal protective equipment (PPE) to rapid diagnostic tests and therapeutics, U.S. support for India is a testament to the seven decades of partnership between our nations. Helping India respond to this latest wave is in our national interest, as this pandemic will not end anywhere until it ends everywhere. As India continues to combat this surge, I hope you will consider providing additional shipments of oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oxygen generator plants, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, and ventilators/BiPAP machines.”
Full text of the letter can be found here or below:
May 4, 2021
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
President Biden,
As Representative of North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, home to a large Indian American community, I share the concerns of my colleagues on the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans regarding the deadly second wave of COVID-19 that India is facing. India is now the epicenter of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Last Sunday was the country’s deadliest day, with 3,689 deaths reported, carrying the total to 222,408 fatalities. According to Reuters, one person is dying of COVID-19 every four minutes in New Delhi, one of the hardest-hit cities. The sharp increase in cases has severely strained the Indian healthcare system, overwhelming hospitals and depleting oxygen supplies.
India desperately needs health supplies, most notably oxygen and oxygen production equipment. The images and stories of patients in desperate need of oxygen with nowhere to turn put a human face on India’s urgent need for this equipment. Over the past several weeks, I have heard from constituents who fear for the health and safety of their family members in India. They worry that their loved ones will join those who are unable to locate oxygen or seek the care they need from overwhelmed hospitals and a healthcare system on the verge of collapse.
I thank you for ordering the delivery of supplies worth more than $100 million to provide urgent relief to India. From oxygen systems and personal protective equipment (PPE) to rapid diagnostic tests and therapeutics, U.S. support for India is a testament to the seven decades of partnership between our nations. Helping India respond to this latest wave is in our national interest, as this pandemic will not end anywhere until it ends everywhere. As India continues to combat this surge, I hope you will consider providing additional shipments of oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oxygen generator plants, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, and ventilators/BiPAP machines.
We must also work to ensure vaccines are accessible in India. With this in mind, I welcome recently announced plans to make available sources of raw materials to help India manufacture more vaccines. I ask that you share with India surplus doses of vaccines purchased by the United States as soon as possible. I also understand that India is eager to domestically produce high-quality U.S. vaccines, and I hope that you work with the private sector to assess how the U.S. can best support India in this effort.
As you continue to assess the situation in India, I ask that you consider fulfilling the additional needs outlined above. As long as COVID-19 persists in India, there is the potential for the emergence of new variants that could pose a serious threat to a vaccinated America. We all must do our part to quell this virus around the globe. I thank you again for your commitments to date to support our ally India through this COVID-19 crisis, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to advance the U.S.-India relationship.
Very truly yours,
Deborah K. Ross
Member of Congress
###