US provides 100 ventilators to help Bangladesh fight Covid-19

As per its commitment, the United States has provided Bangladesh with 100 state-of-the-art ventilators to assist its fight against Covid-19.

The US government has delivered the ventilators through the US Embassy in Dhaka and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). 

The donation fulfills the US government's offer of these critically needed supplies to support Bangladesh's urgent response to the pandemic.

It also contributes to the "Strengthening Public Health Cooperation for a Safer Economy" goal outlined in the 30 September's high-level consultation between the US and Bangladesh to develop a vision for advancing the US-Bangladesh economic partnership.

The US-manufactured ventilators represent the best of cutting-edge technology from the country.  They are compact, deployable, and will provide Bangladeshi medical professionals with flexibility in treating patients affected by the coronavirus. 

For patients struggling to breathe, this vital resource may prove lifesaving.  In addition to the ventilators, USAID is funding equipment, service plans, and technical assistance to support the installation, training on, and use of the ventilators. 

Speaking at the handover programme, US Ambassador Earl Miller said, "The Covid-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented global health threat.  It is only through partnership and cooperation that we will be able to ensure a healthy future for people."

"This donation complements Bangladesh's ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19 and demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the United States to supporting the people of Bangladesh through this crisis," he added.

This donation builds on more than $68.7 million in assistance provided by the US government in response to the pandemic, which is helping to strengthen Covid-19 testing capacity of Bangladeshi laboratories; improve the care given to Covid-19 patients; control the spread of the infection; and dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease. 

For decades, the United States has been the world's largest provider of bilateral assistance in health.  Since 2009, American taxpayers have generously funded more than $100 billion in health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance globally.