Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: First shipment of medical aid from India reached Iran on Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Tehran confirmed. The Iranian embassy in India said that the delivery was received by the Iranian Red Crescent Society and expressed gratitude to the people of India. “The first shipment of medical aid from the esteemed people of India has been delivered. We sincerely thank the kind people of India,” the Embassy of Iran in India posted on social media.India has, in recent years, emerged as a notable provider of assistance to other countries. The aid comes as Iran grapples with the impact of the ongoing US-Israel military campaign, which began on February 28.
According to Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, more than 1,300 people have been killed and over 7,000 injured in Iran since the conflict began. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 18 attacks on healthcare facilities and confirmed that eight medical personnel have been killed.WHO officials say the Iranian healthcare system remained largely functional, despite the challanges. “Primary healthcare and health infrastructure are robust, and they can accommodate casualties as of now,” WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy told Reuters.The WHO also said it had contingency plans to deliver emergency supplies if the situation worsened. Officials further noted potential health risks from toxic “black rain” caused by smoke from oil facilities set on fire, which could increase respiratory infections. Flights for emergency medical aid, temporarily suspended from the WHO hub in Dubai, have now resumed.
