HCMC – The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on September 30 donated 100 brand-new ventilators and committed US$9.5 million to Vietnam to support its ongoing response to Covid-19.
The ventilators, produced in the United States, are compact, deployable and flexible in treating patients infected by the virus. For patients whose lungs are not working optimally despite receiving oxygen, this resource may prove lifesaving.
The U.S. Government has also committed US$9.5 million through USAID to help Vietnam respond to the pandemic, strengthen clinical care, disseminate health messages, build laboratory capacity, improve disease surveillance and support the recovery of the private sector by mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the Vietnamese economy.
“The world is impressed with Vietnam’s strategy and proactive measures in tackling Covid-19,” said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink during the handover ceremony. “But this serious disease remains a threat in Vietnam and the world. Building on the strong relationship between our countries over the last 25 years, the U.S. Government is pleased to support our friends in Vietnam though the donation of ventilators to fight the coronavirus.”
Over the past 20 years, the United States has invested more than US$706 million in health assistance and more than US$1.8 billion in total assistance to Vietnam.
Through an All-of-America approach, the United States is providing life-saving support by coordinating with the Government of Vietnam and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment. Because the threat of an infectious disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere, the United States has called on other donors to contribute to the global efforts to combat Covid-19.
By My Huyen
