HCMC – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that it will donate liquid oxygen systems for 10 more hospitals in Vietnam, raising the total to 23.
USAID Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs made the announcement at a ceremony for the completion of USAID’s installation of liquid oxygen systems in 13 hospitals in five provinces on September 26 with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Health and the provincial Departments of Health.
“The 13 newly installed liquid oxygen systems significantly improve critical health care in five provinces. We will provide Vietnam with 10 more such systems over the coming year in six more provinces to further strengthen the nation’s health care system and save lives,” said Grubbs.
A liquid oxygen system comprises an on-site storage tank, vaporizer to convert liquid oxygen in the tank to gaseous oxygen, and a pressure regulator, which is connected to the hospital’s piping to transport the oxygen to patients’ bedsides.
USAID is also providing related staff training, equipment and supplies to administer the oxygen, such as high-flow nasal tubing and patient monitors, which allow hospital staff to efficiently track patients’ vital signs and quickly respond to changes in patient conditions.
USAID’s installation of the 23 liquid oxygen systems and related support, valued at US$7.5 million, is expected to help Vietnam’s hospitals provide thousands of additional patients with medical oxygen.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States and Vietnam have joined hands to tackle this health crisis. U.S. contributions, including technical support, life-saving medical equipment, and more than 40 million doses of Covid vaccine, have aided Vietnam with its response to the global challenge.
