JP Nadda takes stock of medical preparedness for fighting Ebola

NEW DELHI: Newly-appointed Union Health Minister J P Nadda today held a meeting with his ministry officials to take stock of the medical and financial preparedness to fight Ebola in the country.

"The officials briefed Nadda about the medical and non-medical aspects of the disease, financial aspects and how the country planned to meet all contingencies.

"Nadda was also apprised of the mechanism that has been put in place to tackle the disease. The Minister will hold a meeting on November 17 with relevant stakeholders along with his Ministry officials to identify ways to fight Ebola," a Health Ministry official said.

The Minister was informed that India has till now contributed $ 12.65 million to the global fight against Ebola after it was declared a public health emergency by World Health Organisation ( WHO).

Of the total $ 12.65 million, $ 10 million has been contributed to United Nations Ebola Trust Fund and $ 2 million was given for the purchase of protective gears to WHO to tackle the virus.

Further, $ 0.50 million was contributed to WHO and medical supplies worth $ 50,000 each to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.