New Delhi (NVI): The United States today handed over the second and final tranche of 100 new, state-of-the-art ventilators to India to assist in its fight against COVID-19, fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to support India’s pandemic response, the US embassy here said.
“The US Government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination with the Government of India and the Indian Red Cross Society, donated the second shipment of 100 new, state-of-the-art ventilators to assist India in its fight against COVID-19,” the US Embassy statement read.
While announcing the delivery of the ventilators, the US ambassador to India, Kenneth I Juster said, “We are very pleased to hand over the final tranche of 100 ventilators to India, fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to provide these critically needed supplies to support India’s pandemic response.”
“Fulfilling the US Government’s commitment, @usaid_india delivered the remaining 100 brand-new, Made-in-USA ventilators to @IndianRedCross on behalf of the @MoHFW_INDIA,” Ken also said in a tweet.
Fulfilling the U.S. Government’s commitment, @usaid_india delivered the remaining 100 brand-new, Made-in-USA ventilators to @IndianRedCross on behalf of the @MoHFW_INDIA. #AmericaActs pic.twitter.com/RZOnPekAlw
— Ken Juster (@USAmbIndia) August 19, 2020
The ventilators are manufactured in the United States and are compact, easy to deploy, and provide India with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus, read the official statement.
In addition to the ventilators, USAID is funding a package of support that includes warranties and additional supplies required to operate these machines, such as tubes, filters, and other necessary components.
“USAID is also working in close coordination with the Government of India to enhance the capacity of the health facilities using these ventilators by facilitating setup, orientations, and clinical training for health care providers responsible for operating the machines,” the embassy said.
The first shipment of 100 ventilators arrived in India on June 14. Since then, the ventilators have been deployed to support the care of COVID-19 patients at the eight regional All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The Embassy said that the total supply of 200 ventilators builds on the long history of US-India collaboration in the health sector and the assistance that USAID has committed to India in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-ARK
