India Sends 7.5 Tonnes of Life-Saving Cancer Medicines to Kabul

Humanitarian cooperation between India and Afghanistan has received renewed attention with the delivery of critical medical aid. To support patients facing severe health challenges, India has supplied a large consignment of cancer medicines to Kabul. The assistance highlights India’s continued focus on people-centric support, especially in the health sector, during times of humanitarian need.

Why in News?

India has delivered 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan through humanitarian medical assistance.

Details of the Humanitarian Medical Aid

• India delivered 7.5 tonnes of cancer medicines to Kabul to address the urgent requirements of cancer patients.
• According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the consignment is part of India’s ongoing humanitarian outreach.
• Cancer treatment in Afghanistan faces serious challenges due to shortages of medicines, limited healthcare infrastructure, and affordability issues.
• This delivery is aimed at ensuring continuity of treatment and saving lives, especially for vulnerable patients dependent on external medical support.

India’s Commitment to the Afghan People

• India has consistently emphasized its commitment to the people of Afghanistan, independent of political developments.
• The External Affairs Ministry stated that India remains dedicated to assisting Afghan civilians in areas such as health, food security, and essential services.
• By prioritising life-saving medicines, India reinforces its humanitarian approach that focuses on immediate human needs.
• This assistance also reflects India’s broader philosophy of “people-first diplomacy”, particularly in fragile and crisis-affected regions.

Health Sector Challenges in Afghanistan

• Afghanistan’s healthcare system has been under severe strain due to years of conflict, economic difficulties, and restricted access to medical supplies.
• Cancer patients are among the most affected, as treatment requires specialized drugs and long-term care. Shortages of oncology medicines often lead to interrupted therapies, worsening patient outcomes.
• India’s medical aid helps bridge these gaps temporarily and provides relief to hospitals and healthcare providers struggling to meet patient needs in Kabul and nearby regions.

India-Afghanistan Humanitarian Engagement

• India has a long history of humanitarian and developmental assistance to Afghanistan.
• Over the years, support has included food grains, medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment.
• India has also helped build hospitals, trained Afghan medical professionals, and supplied COVID-19 vaccines in the past.
• The delivery of cancer medicines continues this tradition of assistance and strengthens people-to-people ties, reinforcing trust and goodwill between the two nations.

Question

Q. India recently delivered 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to which country?

A. Libya
B. Haiti
C. Afghanistan
D. Chad