The United States government, through U.S. Embassy Dhaka and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has delivered 100 pledged state-of-the-art ventilators to Bangladesh to assist its fight against Covid-19.
The embassy said the donation fulfills the U.S. government’s offer of these critically needed supplies, supports Bangladesh’s urgent response to the pandemic, and contributes to the Strengthening Public Health Cooperation for a Safer Economy goal outlined in the September 30 high-level consultation between United States and Bangladesh to develop a Vision for Advancing the U.S.-Bangladesh Economic Partnership.
The U.S. manufactured ventilators represent the best of cutting-edge technology from the United States.
They are compact, deployable, and will provide Bangladeshi medical professionals with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus.
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 event, U.S. 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.”
“U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks has support at the highest levels of both our governments,” he said.
“During a recent high-level consultation between our governments, we agreed to develop a Vision for Advancing the U.S.-Bangladesh Economic Partnership. This donation today is a health deliverable that complements the goal of that high-level consultation.
“America’s commitment to Bangladesh has never been stronger. And our commitment to each other has never been more important,” he said.
This donation builds on more than $68.7 million in assistance provided by the U.S. 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.
