The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated 250 state-of-the-art ventilators to Egypt, according to Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation.
The specialised medical equipment will be sent to intensive care units (ICU) at hospitals to support the country’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic. The donation recognises the strong strategic partnership between the US and Egypt, and the international cooperation efforts that are being carried out to support the global response to the pandemic.
Minister Al-Mashat said that the challenges presented by the pandemic have stimulated stronger international cooperation to meet evolving humanitarian needs. She added that Egypt’s partnership with the US reflects a spirit of collective responsibility and reciprocated solidarity for the benefit of each country’s communities.
In April, the Egyptian Government donated medical aid to the US, to contribute to the country’s efforts in combating the pandemic. The minister added that the US’ donation of ventilators comes within the Ministry of International Cooperation’s Multi-Stakeholder platforms.
It aims to strengthen partnerships with multilateral and bilateral development partners for achieving value-centric results through regular interactive and participatory consultations with all partners and line ministries. The continued efforts and partnerships seek to enhance the progress in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Jonathan Cohen, US Ambassador to Egypt, said, “The donation of 250 ventilators to hospitals throughout Egypt represents the latest step in the joint efforts by Egypt and the US to fight COVID-19.”
“Early in the pandemic, Egypt generously provided the US with a donation of personal protective equipment, so our healthcare workers could stay safe,” he added, “The innovation of American private industry has allowed us to return the favour today with these state-of-the-art, lifesaving devices.”
Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Ministry of Health, along with USAID, have identified 24 hospitals in 12 governorates that have an immediate need for ventilators and staff to treat coronavirus patients.
USAID’s cooperation portfolio in Egypt has granted over $30bn to several sectors since 1978, with over $1bn invested in strengthening Egypt’s health system. The agency’s work has continually been in partnership with the Egyptian people to improve maternal and child health and nutrition, eliminate infectious diseases, and educate and mobilise community health workers.
The Ministry of International Cooperation has worked hard on creating public-private partnerships that have helped implement projects dedicated to enhancing quality of life for Egyptians. This has been not only in a scaling up of the immediate health response to combat the coronavirus, but also to urgently accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
