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US provides 2nd batch of PPE to Bangladesh


Published : 28 May 2020 10:34 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 08:48 PM

The United States has donated the second batch of the personal protective equipment (PPE) to Bangladesh as part of its “series of planned distribution” of those emergency medical gears to the healthcare providers for Covid-19.

 Ambassador Earl Miller and Embassy representatives of the US military’s Indo-Pacific Command on Thursday delivered those PPEs to Kamalapur Railway General Hospital Divisional Medical Officer Dr. Ibne Safi Abdul Ahad, the embassy said. 

The first distribution, on May 11, provided PPE and medical equipment to the Fire Service and Civil Defense. 

To date, the US government has provided over $25.7 million in assistance to complement the government of Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19, improve rapid diagnosis, increase knowledge and dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease, and support heroic frontline responders.

 US Embassy Dhaka-donated equipment delivered Thursday includes700 KN95 surgical masks, 500 200-milliliter bottles of hand sanitizer, 500 pairs of surgical gloves, 300 hazardous materials (HAZMAT) suits, 50 face shields, 50 pounds of bleach powder, 10 infrared thermometers, six disinfectant sprayers, and three patient monitor/pulse oximeter machines, all of which were purchased locally from Bangladeshi companies.

 The Kamalapur Railway General Hospital is a government designated COVID-19 response facility in Bangladesh.  The PPE will enable hospital staff to protect themselves and patients during treatment while containing the spread of COVID-19, the embassy said.  

This distribution demonstrates “the US government’s continuing commitment to the Bangladeshi people and to promoting mutual understanding and strong  partnership between our two countries”. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the US government has committed more than $900 million worldwide in emergency health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance specifically aimed at helping governments, international organisations, and NGOs fight the pandemic.  

In Bangladesh, the $25.7 million in funding will support response and containment efforts across the country, building on more than $1 billion in health assistance provided to Bangladesh over the past 20 years. 

“This funding emphasizes the long-term U.S. commitment to ensuring access to quality, lifesaving health services for all people in Bangladesh,” the embassy said.