22.04.2021
High Commissioner,
Representatives from Ministry of Health,
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed a pleasure and honour for me to be here today on this special occasion. We are gathered here to show our appreciation to the Government of India for the donation of the first batch of 50,000 vials of the COVISHIELD vaccine.
The request for the COVIDSHIELD Vaccine, which is manufactured at the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine was made by Seychelles on 3rd January 2021 to the Government of India.
We are pleased that the Government of India responded positively and rapidly to our appeal.
On behalf of the Government of Seychelles, I would like to convey, though you, Excellency, to the Government of India, our sincere gratitude for this donation. It comes at an opportune time when Seychelles is experiencing an alarming rise in community transmission of COVID-19.
The supplies of the COVISHIELD vaccine which the Republic of India has gifted to Seychelles will further reinforced the National Covid-19 Immunization Campaign that is already on the way in the country.
In the wake of the most defining crisis of this decade, India has stood relentlessly and unwaveringly with Seychelles even while facing its own domestic difficulties in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
This kind gesture today further cement the ties of solidarity, friendship and cooperation which exists between our two countries. We are grateful for all the forms of assistance rendered to us during this challenging period. This high mark of goodwill underscores, once again the close bonds between Seychelles and India.
It gives me great pleasure therefore to accept this donation.
I thank-you.