Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In view of the fast spreading 2009 H1N1 pandemic and increasing number of swine flu cases in India, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India, has donated N95 masks to the country with Delhi and Gujarat becoming the first states to receive help.

In its bid to provide assistance, TECC procured 10 thousands N95 masks from Taiwan. The first batch of them has been shipped from Taipei to Delhi on March 10. The remaining masks will arrive on March 14.

Mr Madhukar Shukla, Assistant Resident Commissioner of Gujarat Bhavan and Dr Charan Singh, Additional Director, IDSP-Delhi, Directorate of Health Services Delhi came to receive the masks.

TECC will consider donating more N-95 masks should there be such needs.

“We live in a global village and we are worried about the swine flu situation in India. This is a humble token of assistance. It is Taiwan’s belief that humanitarian consideration is above boundaries and Taiwan will always be willing to help when the people of India need it” Amb Tien, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural in India said.

According to Union Health Ministry data released Friday, till March 12, the swine flu virus has killed 1,627 people while the number of affected stood at 28,441.