India donates medicines to Palestine

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) India today gave the first consignment of life-saving cancer drugs and anaesthetic to Palestine in response to a request from the Palestine authorities following developments in Gaza and West Bank.

As a symbolic gesture, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed handed over a carton of the drugs and medicines to Mr Osama Musa, Ambassador of the Palestine National Authority here.

''In response to a request from the Palestine authorities, following developments in Gaza and West Bank, India had announced a humanitarian assistance, primarily of medicines, worth Rs 10 crore on May 13,'' a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said.

The spokesman said the Palestinian authorities had sent a list of medicines and medical supplies required by them.

''The first batch of medicines, comprising life saving cancer drugs and anaesthetics are ready for immediate shipment and will be handed over to President Mahmoud Abbas by our Representative in Palestine,'' the spokesman said.

The other medicines would be sent in subsequent batches to cover the requirement.

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