Finally, Nigeria received the ventilators promised by the U.S President, Donald Trump.
The country received 200 ventilators from the U.S government which was in fulfilment of the promise made by President Trump earlier in the year.
This is as the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire also urged US to support the global efforts towards finding vaccines for the deadly virus and also to ensure that the vaccines are equitably distributed to all countries.
Meanwhile, U.S has provided Nigeria more than $5.4 million in Covid-19 assistance since the onset of the pandemic.
Ehanire who recieved the equipments from the U.S Ambassasor to Nigeria, Mary Bert Leornard at a short handing over ceremony in Abuja said, “I conclude by requesting the United States government to lend its full weight to global efforts to find efficacious therapeutics and vaccines to neutralise the threat of Covid-19 to the global community and to guarantee fair allocation to all countries and people . The speef and ease with which Covid-19 has spread across the globe clearly shows that is a threat to mankind. Without the full collaboration of all nations, the threat of Covid to any one part of the world is a threat to all.”
He commended the US for it’s kind gesture saying that the ventilators will certainly help the country to bring down the mortality rate of the Covid-19.
He also assured the US governme t that the equipments will be distributed across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Ambassador promised that the US’ assistance will continue.
She stressed that as her country is battling the virus internally, U.S will continue to discharge its responsibilities to partners and friends, including Nigeria.
She said, “This donation, and many other health and humanitarian assistance programmes offered from the American people over the years, is just one component of the strong cooperation between our two governments.”
She also commended Nigeria’s efforts in taking early action to mitigate the spread of Covid-19; adding “I hope to see Nigeria continue this trajectory, as an example for other African nations to follow.”
The ventilators are compact, deplorable, and will provide Nigeria with flexibility in treating Covid-19 patients. USAID is also funding a support package that includes accompanying equipment, medical supplies, technical assistance and service plans.
“Since the onset of the pandemic, the United States has provided Nigeria more than $54 million in Covid-19 assistance and will continue to support Nigeria’s prevention and response efforts, both now and in the future.
“For over half a century the United States has been the largest contributor to global health security and humanitarian assistance. USAID is on the frontlines in providing funding and technical assistance in materials, newborn and child health, and in supporting countries including Nigeria, in battling against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malarial, and now Covid-19.
In his earlier short remark, the minister of Health said
