Valued at $1.2 million, state-of-the-art ventilators are compact and easily deployable.
To assist India in its fight against covid-19, the US Government, has donated a first shipment of 100 brand-new, state-of-the-art ventilators valued at almost $1.2 million.
“This donation is part of President Donald Trump’s generous offer of critical supplies in response to India’s urgent needs,” according to a press release issued by the US embassy in India.
Donated through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US produced ventilators reflect leading-edge technology.
They are compact and deployable, and provide India with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus. USAID has pledged to provide India 200 such ventilators.
“The covid-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented global health threat,” said Kenneth Juster, US Ambassador to India at an event in New Delhi to mark the arrival of the ventilators.
“It is only through partnership and cooperation that we will be able to ensure a healthy future for people across the world,” he said.
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“In this spirit, the United States is pleased to provide the people of India with a donation of ventilators, made possible by the generosity of the American people and the innovation of American private industry,” Juster said.
“For patients whose lungs are not operating adequately despite receiving oxygen, this vital resource may prove lifesaving,” he said.
“These ventilators will complement India’s ongoing work to make quality health care available to those most in need.”
“The US and India have a long history of health collaboration spanning several decades,” Juster said
“Our current response with regard to COVID-19 builds on this strong platform, he said noting, “US-India cooperation has support at the highest levels of government.”
During his India visit in February, President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Juster noted, “committed to continuing our successful work in support of global efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks such as covid-19.”
USAID is also funding a comprehensive package of support, which includes accompanying equipment and medical supplies, technical assistance, and service plans.
This donation builds on the $9.5 million that USAID and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have committed to India in response to the pandemic, the release said.