The United States government on Tuesday donated emergency Covid-19 medical supplies to Bangladesh to help save lives, stop the spread of Coronavirus, and meet the health needs of people.

The US delivery that came through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is worth nearly $3 million.

The medical supplies include personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals and other frontline workers, laboratory equipment to expand Covid-19 testing, oxygen cylinders, and medicines to better manage and ensure timely critical care interventions for Covid patients. 

The government of Bangladesh will distribute these supplies and medicines to the health facilities in the border regions where the need is greatest amid the current surge of Covid-19 cases in the country.

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“Today’s handover of Covid-19 supplies and medicines are of the many examples of our successful and unique partnership as we find our way through the crisis together,” said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller during the event. 

Health Secretary (Health Services Division) Lokman Hossain Miah was also present at the handover ceremony.

These supplies build on the United States’ ongoing efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic in Bangladesh. 

The USA has worked closely with Bangladesh since the beginning of the pandemic to strengthen the government’s response to prevent and respond to Covid-19, contributing more than $84 million to date in development and humanitarian assistance from USAID since March 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of State. 

This assistance has helped save lives and treat individuals infected with Covid-19, strengthened testing capacity and surveillance, enhanced case management and infection prevention and control practices, and improved the supply chain and logistics management systems.

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US support also focuses on protecting front line workers and increasing the public’s knowledge about Covid-19.

The United States has also provided 100 state-of-the-art ventilators and gas analyzers to help Bangladesh to produce its own ventilators, as well as tens of thousands of pieces of locally produced PPE including KN95 surgical masks, face shields, HAZMAT suits, full body gowns, medical-grade hand sanitizer, surgical gloves, and medical goggles to treatment facilities, law enforcement authorities, first responders, and customs inspectors. 

The US support also includes mentoring and training for thousands of doctors and other frontline workers to improve the care given to Covid-19 patients across Bangladesh. 

This support builds on the more than $1 billion in health assistance USA has provided to Bangladesh over the past 20 years and underscores the long-term commitment of the United States of America to ensuring access to quality, lifesaving health services for the people of Bangladesh.