The United States Government donated supplies, medical disinfection equipment and assistance in logistics services to the Dominican Government to mitigate the expansion of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The donation has an approximate value of US $ 100,310 (RD $ 6,101,282). This amount is part of the US $ 3.7 million in humanitarian assistance channeled through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Assistance in logistics and the provision of medical equipment will allow the Dominican Republic to continue its effective provision of quality clinical and laboratory services for the control of COVID-19 to communities with the most vulnerable populations.
The donated equipment and supplies include: 7 electrical secretion aspirators, 10 electrocardiographs, 15 misting equipment, 15 vital function monitors, 27 oxygen tanks, 200 infrared digital thermometers, 240 thermal boxes, as well as other laboratory and disinfection supplies. These will be delivered to the National Health Service for distribution in public hospitals.
On the same manner, the logistics of transporting samples is also being supported.
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) was provided with 98 digital infrared thermometers, 100 gallons of 70% alcohol gel-based disinfectants, and 450 gallons of 100 PPM sodium hypochlorite, or 5% chlorine.
Special thanks to USAID
The Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Juan Ariel Jiménez, in his capacity as coordinator of national and international donations by the Dominican Government for COVID-19, thanked USAID for the delivery of the supplies, highlighting their importance for the strengthening of the health sector and the safety of people.
Commitment to fight against COVID-19
While the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. from the United States Embassy, Shane Myers, stated that “This donation demonstrates the permanent commitment of the people of the United States to the Dominican Republic in the fight against COVID-19.”
“These equipment and supplies will allow the country to continue providing quality services in a timely manner, reaching the population with the greatest needs in these difficult times of the pandemic.”
In May, the United States Government donated the sum of US $ 3.7 million to address critical needs in the areas of social protection, psychosocial support, education, water and sanitation, and food security in vulnerable communities, as well as for health care that It will support case management, epidemiological surveillance, and supplies for infection prevention. This donation is made with health care funds.
The United States and the Dominican Republic have a long history of cooperation and investment in health and development.
The United States Government has invested a total of more than $ 1 billion in the health and long-term development of the Dominican Republic over the past 20 years, which includes nearly $ 298 million in healthcare.
Participants
Also present at the event were the director of the Emergency Operations Committee (COE), General Juan Méndez and the director of the National Health Service, Chanel Rosa Chupany.
For the MEPyD, the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Authorizing Officer for the European Funds, Marcel Mejías and the Director for Bilateral Cooperation, Iván Cruz Burgos.
