New Delhi (NVI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has shipped almost two million pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to 74 countries and is preparing to send a similar amount to a further 60 countries.
.@WHO has shipped 2M items of protective gear to 74 countries which need it the most & we’re preparing to send a similar amount to 60 additional countries. Even more is needed & this can only be solved with intl. cooperation & solidarity. #COVID19https://t.co/bWbgk8NDFk
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 27, 2020
In a virtual news conference in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “One of the most pressing challenges was the lack of protective gear for the healthcare workers. The chronic, global shortage of PPE is one of the most urgent threats to our collective ability to save lives.”
This issue of lack of protective gears was addressed in a meeting earlier attended by WHO chief in which Health Ministers of 50 countries, including China and Singapore, took part and addressed the issues faced by the countries in eliminating and fighting the pandemic.
Tedros said that the issues addressed also included the need for early detection and isolation of confirmed case, the need for identification., follow-up and quarantining of contacts, as well as the need to optimize care, build trust and engage communities in the fight.
“A dire lack of protective gear for health workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most pressing threats in the fight to prevent deaths. When health workers are at risk, we’re all at risk,” Tedros further added.
WHO chief said, “This problem can only be solved with international cooperation and solidarity.”
He concluded the press briefing by quoting a line that Singapore’s Health Minister said during the meeting that, “We are only at the beginning of this fight. We need to stay calm, stay united and work together.”
