Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday received 100 ventilators from the United States, which will be installed in different hospitals across the country. This will enable Pakistan to effectively treat serious patients suffering from COVID-19.
The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and in cooperation with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), donated state-of-the-art ventilators to Pakistan.
The ventilators, valued around $3 million (Dh11 million), will help support Pakistan in its fight against COVID-19. “The United States stands with Pakistan in its fight against coronavirus. These American-made ventilators will help Pakistani patients in the most acute need of medical care” said US Ambassador to Pakistan Paul Jones.
‘Friendship and cooperation’
John Joseph Hillmeyer, US Deputy Consul General, handed over the ventilators to NDMAofficials in Karachi. “Friendship and cooperation between the US and Pakistan has existed for many years and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the strength in our partnership that is demonstrated by US contribution of $27 million and these ventilators” the diplomat noted. “We are happy that we can help [Pakistan], following up the commitment by President [Donald] Trump made to Prime Minister [Imran} Khan a few months ago” he added.
NDMA official said that the assistance also includes maintenance and training for critical health staff. The ventilators will boost Pakistan’s health capacity as the government has directed NDMA to arrange 2,500 oxygenated beds to the provinces by the end of this month.
‘Trump’s generous offer’
The America-made ventilators are compact, easily deployable and reflect the latest in cutting-edge medical design and technology. “The donation delivers on President Donald Trump’s generous offer of these critically-needed supplies and supports Pakistan’s urgent response to the pandemic,” the official statement said.
The US-Pakistan health partnership to fight coronavirus is assisting to improve and expand laboratory testing, disease monitoring, case tracking, infection prevention and control, and patient care.
The US has contributed nearly $27 million in new funding to strengthen the partnership. The US Embassy has also thanked Pakistan for its contribution of medical supplies to help fight coronavirus in America.
