High Commission of India
Victoria-Seychelles

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PRESS RELEASE
INDIA GIFTS SEYCHELLES 04 METHADONE VANS 07.07.2023

04 Methadone Vans gifted by India to Seychelles under a grant of USD 194,000 were formally handed over by Shri Puneet Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Indian Ocean Region, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and High Commissioner of India to Seychelles Shri Kartik Pande along with H.E. Mrs Peggy Vidot, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Republic of Seychelles and Dr Bernard Valentin, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health. The Joint Secretary is on a two-day official visit from India to Seychelles. The vans will be instrumental in the drug addiction reduction program of the Government of Seychelles.

2. The inauguration ceremony was held near the Seychelles Hospital in Mont Fleuri. High Commissioner Kartik Pande remarked in his address that this marks an important moment in the robust relationship shared by India and Seychelles in the Health Sector. “Our cooperation in the tough times of the COVID pandemic and even after it has been unflinching and consistent.” he said, “this gift of methadone vans will assist any mitigation measures of GoS.

3. The drug addiction vans are manufactured by TATA Motors and will facilitate the effective Methadone program of the Government of Seychelles – thus making the fight against substance abuse stronger. The vans were delivered in February this year and all necessary approvals, tests and functional clearances were completed accordingly in order for the Ministry of Health to integrate them in their fleet and commence utilization.

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