COVID-19: Assam becomes first state to import PPE kits directly from China

Guwahati, Apr 16: Assam on Wednesday directly imported personal protective equipment (PPE) kits from China to beef up the stock of the commodity needed to combat COVID-19.

"Indian government as well as many countries across the world have been procuring PPE kits from China. We are the first state government to import the kits directly from China," Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after receiving the cargo at the airport.

Another BIG reason to cheer!

Keeping life first as the motive, we're glad to have imported 50,000 PPE kits from Guangzhou,China. I am happy to receive this special flight along with @Pijush_hazarika at #Guwahati airport just now. A big reassurance for our doctors & nurses. pic.twitter.com/nFkFkwfPQZ

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 15, 2020

"This has removed a big hurdle for us as we were buying PPE kits in small numbers are there was a worry about their continued availability. We will soon distribute these kits to our healthcare workers," he added.

With this, Assam became the first state in the country to directly import PPE kits from China.

Meanwhile, two persons were discharged from a hospital in Assam on Wednesday after they have recovered from COVID-19.

The wife of a COVID-19 patient tested positive for the disease in the state, taking the tally in the state to 32, Sarma said. The 32 cases include one who had died of the disease.