Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami on Thursday handed over a life support ambulance and stores of essential medical supplies - oxygen cylinders, respiratory support equipment to Rajiv Prasad Shaha, Managing Director of Kumudini Welfare Trust and Dr Pradip Kumar Roy, Director of Kumudini Hospital. The brand new SML-Brand ambulance is fitted with modern, critical life-saving equipment, and can be used by paramedics and first responders to provide quality emergency care and trauma life support to patients en-route to hospital for treatment. During his visit to Kumudini Complex, the High Commissioner also paid respects at the exquisite Puja Pandal set up within the complex and in the area. Also read: Singra Upazila Heath Complex gets life support ambulance from India He greeted everyone on Maha Nabami and emphasised that the joyous celebrations of Puja by all communities, and the spirit of service to all of humanity fully reflects the generous and inclusive traditions of the Bangladeshi people, as set out in the ideology of the Liberation War, and for which Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the Bangladeshi people’s struggle for freedom in 1971

An aircraft carrying around 23 metric tonnes of life-saving medicines and supplies from the UN health agency landed in Afghanistan's capital Kabul Monday. The shipment, which is among the first humanitarian aid to arrive at Kabul airport since operations were disrupted on August 15, was flown by a Qatar Airways flight, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). "As health needs increase in Afghanistan, we must move quickly to address the shortages in medical supplies to keep life-saving health services running. I thank Qatar for its generous and timely support, which has allowed the WHO to replenish depleted stocks and meet the needs of the most vulnerable Afghans," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO. Read: Blinken pushes back on GOP criticism of Afghan withdrawal A second flight donated by Qatar is expected to arrive later this week, carrying more WHO medical supplies. Together, the two shipments, which contain essential medicines such as insulin, medical consumables, trauma and surgery kits, and Covid-19 testing kits, will address the urgent health needs of 1.45 million people and provide for 5,400 major and minor surgeries. They will be distributed to 280 health facilities and 31 public Covid laboratories across Afghanistan. The supplies have been shipped from the WHO suppliers' facilities in Europe to Qatar and onward to Kabul in collaboration with the operations and logistic teams of Qatar Airways and the Government of the State of Qatar. The WHO is exploring options to expedite further shipments of health supplies to Afghanistan. Read: UN seeks $606 million for Afghanistan after Taliban takeover The establishment of a reliable humanitarian air bridge continues to be a pressing need to ensure timely movement of humanitarian aid and personnel to respond to the evolving situation. The two flights from Qatar will mean that the WHO will have airlifted 131 metric tonnes of supplies since August 30, which are enough to cover the urgent health needs of 2.43 million people and provide for around 19,000 major and minor surgeries.

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. Also read: Covid claims 112 more lives in Bangladesh; positivity rate hits 23.97% “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. Also read: Massive vaccination to begin in July: PM 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.

United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has delivered a second shipment of emergency medical supplies to Bangladesh.  The US Embassy in Dhaka says it will help save lives, stop the spread of COVID-19, and meet the urgent health needs of the Bangladeshi people.  This latest delivery brings the total of U.S. pandemic assistance to more than $84 million.   Also read: US delivers emergency medical supplies to Bangladesh to combat COVID-19 US Embassy Dhaka Deputy Chief of Mission JoAnne Wagner, and USAID Mission Director Derrick S. Brown and Director of America Wing from the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Seheli Sabrin, welcomed the arrival of this second shipment at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday. 

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on Monday night delivered to Bangladesh its latest shipment of emergency medical supplies to save lives, stop the spread of COVID-19, and meet the urgent health needs of the Bangladeshi people.   This latest delivery brings the financial value of U.S. pandemic assistance to Bangladesh to more than $84 million, tweeted U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller. Ambassador Miller, Toufiq Islam Shatil, Director General, Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Kabir Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance; Professor Dr. Mohammad Robed Amin, Line Director, Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC); Dr. Md. Zahidul Islam, Deputy Director, Hospitals from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS); and Dr. Moinul Ahsan, Civil Surgeon, Dhaka were present during a handover ceremony.  The emergency medical supplies, including critical personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals and other frontline workers, as well as fingertip pulse oximeters, which by measuring patients’ blood oxygen levels, help better manage and determine timely critical care interventions. “For 50 years, the United States has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh. We will continue to fight this pandemic with Bangladesh until the crisis is over,” said Ambassador Miller. READ: Miller discusses JRP, bilateral issues with Shahriar On June 3, the White House announced its plan to share vaccines directly with Bangladesh as part of a framework to provide 80 million U.S. vaccine doses globally by the end of the month.   This includes 7 million doses destined for Asia.   Also this month, USAID sent two more flights, one of which was also supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, with additional personal protective equipment to Dhaka to support Bangladesh’s response efforts.  Together, these deliveries build on the United States’ ongoing efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic in Bangladesh.   The United States 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, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of State (State).   The recent shipments added over $2 million to the total U.S. government contribution to Bangladesh.   This assistance has helped save lives and treat individuals infected with COVID-19; strengthened COVID-19 testing capacity and surveillance; enhanced COVID-19 case management and infection prevention and control practices; improved both the supply chain and logistics management systems; helped protect front line workers; and increased public knowledge about COVID-19.  Additional U.S. COVID response assistance includes supplying 100 state-of-the-art U.S. manufactured ventilators; gas analyzers to allow Bangladesh to produce its own ventilators; tens of thousands of pieces of locally-produced personal protective equipment (PPE; KN95 surgical masks, face shields, HAZMAT suits, full body gowns, medical-grade hand sanitizer, surgical gloves, medical goggles) to medical treatment facilities, law enforcement, first responders, and customs inspectors; and mentoring and training for thousands of doctors and other front line workers to improve the care given to COVID-19 patients across Bangladesh.   READ: Bangladesh’s request for vaccine doses under active consideration: Miller This support builds on the more than $1 billion in U.S. health assistance the U.S. has provided Bangladesh over the past 20 years and underscores the long-term U.S. commitment to ensuring access to quality, lifesaving health services for the people of Bangladesh, said the US Embassy in Dhaka. 

The first consignment of urgent medical supplies from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is scheduled to arrive here this week to help Bangladesh battle its latest COVID-19 surge.   As part of its ongoing emergency assistance to countries in South Asia, the US government through the USAID on Saturday airlifted urgent medical supplies to help Bangladesh. The US Air Force C-17 flight departed from Travis Air Force Base in California for Dhaka, Bangladesh carrying over 2 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect thousands of health care workers in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Ambassador to USA M Shahidul Islam visited Travis Air Base to see the consignment. "The generous support by the US government will greatly strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity to fight against COVID-19 pandemic," he tweeted. READ: US unveils strategy for global vaccine sharing with Bangladesh, India on list US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said, "I deeply value our partnership with Bangladesh, and I hope this support is a testament to our robust and growing ties." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US was among the first donors of COVID-19 support in Bangladesh. "As we dispatch an airlift of urgent medical supplies, we proudly reflect on five decades of health partnership and collaboration with the government and people of Bangladesh," he tweeted. As one of the first and largest donors to Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response efforts, the U.S. government has contributed over $80 million in new and existing resources in assistance to date. This assistance, which includes the delivery of ventilators, supports the country's capacity to test and diagnose the virus, increases prevention and control practices, strengthens supply chain and logistics management systems, enhances risk communications to counter misinformation, and ensures the effective roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, said USAID. READ: US to swiftly boost global vaccine sharing, Biden announces The United States said it stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic. "We congratulate Bangladesh on marking 50 years of independence in 2021 and are proud to celebrate the 50th year of U.S.-Bangladesh relations in 2022. The United States has provided more than $1 billion in health assistance over the last 20 years to Bangladesh," said the USAID in a media release. USAID’s long-standing partnership with Bangladesh demonstrates the United States’ commitment to ensuring access to quality, lifesaving health services for all Bangladeshis, it said. The latest announcement builds on USAID’s ongoing efforts to help India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka battle the latest deadly surge of COVID-19 cases and further demonstrates the United States’ whole-of-government, global response to ensure lifesaving assistance reaches people who need it quickly. USAID is coordinating additional shipments to South Asia in the coming weeks.

The icddr,b handed over essential supplies containing medical equipment and medicine to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for the treatment of critical COVID-19 patients on Wednesday. This is part of a grant agreement between icddr,b and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to strengthen icddr,b Dhaka Hospital’s capacity to provide COVID-19 treatment to its staff, and also supporting a healthcare facility serving underprivileged people in Dhaka city. The medical supplies comprised of three units of High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), 20 units of HFNC accessories, three units of patient monitor, 170 vials of broad-spectrum antiviral medication Remdesivir, and 100 vials of anticoagulant injection, all of which are aimed at reinforcing DMCH’s COVID-19 response. The handover ceremony took place at DMCH and was attended by icddr,b’s Head, Hospitals Dr Baharul Alam and Brigadier General Md Nazmul Haque, Director, DMCH. Dr Alam said, “The coronavirus pandemic has led to strained healthcare systems not only in Bangladesh but around the world. Many thanks to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for extending their support in strengthening our capacities in treating more patients with quality care. “I am also thankful to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for the support it provides by treating referral patients requiring multidisciplinary care sent from icddr,b Dhaka Hospital,” he added. Brig Gen Haque said, “icddr,b and Dhaka Medical College Hospital have close cooperation in relation to patient care. We are grateful for the generosity of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and icddr,b for their support of live-saving equipment and medicines. These will certainly boost our treatment effort by many folds.” Dr Alauddin Al-Azad, Deputy Director, Dr Md Khalequzzaman Khan, Deputy Director, Dr Md Ashraful Alam, Assistant Director, Dr Halima Sultana Haque, Assistant Director, Dr Ashrafun Nahar, Assistant Director, Dr Md Saad Ullah, Senior Store Officer of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Shihab Uddin Ahmed, Senior Manager, Hospital, of icddr,b were also present at the handover ceremony.

The government of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has provided 1,800 emergency food and hygiene packages as well as 3,000 personal protective equipment (PPEs) and medical supplies to the vulnerable communities as well as the frontline nurses of the capital’s Mugda area who have been hard-hit amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Australian High Commission on Monday jointly handed over some medical  supplies to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).   The equipment, comprising 150,000 goggles, 80,892 N95 respirator masks and 65,000 face shields, was funded by the Australian Government and will be used in the COVID-19 response.   “The Australian High Commission appreciates the dedication of frontline health workers and the challenges they face.  We are delighted that, through WFP, we have been able to support the Bangladesh Government in the fight against COVID-19,” said the Australian High Commissioner, Jeremy Bruer.   To date, Bangladesh has recorded a total of 137787 number COVID-19 cases, including more than 1,170 doctors, 1,120 nurses and 200 health technologists.   “This equipment comes at a critical time, especially as the number of COVID-19 is seeing new height in Bangladesh. We want to thank the Australian Government and WFP for their continued support,” said Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Director General, DGHS.   Richard Ragan, WFP Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh said health workers are at the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak response.   "They need the right supplies to keep themselves safe and perform their jobs effectively."   In addition to providing food assistance to vulnerable families, WFP is providing the Government of Bangladesh with logistic support to curb the spread of the virus.

A total of 21 countries and the United Nations Children's Fund have donated epidemic prevention and control supplies to China, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.