US provides 100 ventilators to support PH coronavirus response

FILE: Chancery of the Manila American Embassy. (Photo By United States Department of State – Official photo from THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S REGISTER OF CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY., Public Domain)

MANILA – The United States has donated 100 new, state-of-the-art ventilators and associated supplies to the Philippines to assist its fight against Covid-19.

US Ambassador Sung Kim, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III led the handover of the ventilators at Malacañang Palace on Friday.

The donation delivers on President Donald Trump’s offer of these critical supplies and supports the Philippines’ response to the pandemic. The ventilators, produced in the United States, include leading-edge and in-demand technology. They will be a life-saving resource to patients requiring oxygen support.

“These ventilators are part of the continued partnership between the American people and our Philippine friends, partners, and allies. We will continue to work together to overcome Covid-19,” Kim said.

In addition to the ventilators, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide clinical training and technical assistance to support health facilities to operate ventilators. In coordination with USAID and the Office of Civil Defense, DOH will facilitate the delivery of the ventilators to hospitals located across the Philippines.

This donation brings the total US contribution to the Philippines’ Covid-19 response to more than PHP1 billion (USD22.6 million), provided through the US State Department, USAID, and the US Department of Defense. US assistance bolsters health systems, supports economic recovery, and delivers vital humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations.

Through a comprehensive approach that includes both the US public and private sectors, the US is providing timely support to provide critical supplies in coordination with the Government of the Philippines and other partners.

For decades, the United States has been the world’s largest provider of bilateral assistance in health. Since 2009, the United States has provided more than USD100 billion in health assistance and nearly USD70 billion in humanitarian assistance worldwide. (US EMBASSY PR)