Abuja –U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard officially handed over 200 brand-new, leading edge ventilators to the Nigerian Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire to support the government’s efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic at an August 11, 2020 ceremony at the Abuja Premier Medical Warehouse.  

In collaboration with USAID and the Presidential Task Force, the Ministry of Health will coordinate the expedient delivery, transportation, and placement of the ventilators in COVID treatment centers and intensive care units across the country.

The arrival of the ventilators fulfilled President Trump’s promise to President Buhari and represent the strong partnership between the United States and Nigeria on health issues.

“This donation, and the many other health and humanitarian assistance programs offered by the American people over the years, is just one component of the strong cooperation between our two governments,” Ambassador Leonard said at the ceremony.  “I laud Nigeria’s efforts in taking early action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and hope to see the country continue this trajectory as an example for other nations to follow.”

The ventilators are compact, deployable, and will provide Nigeria with flexibility in treating COVID-19 patients. USAID is also funding a support package that includes accompanying equipment, medical supplies, technical assistance, and service plans.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the United States has provided Nigeria more than $54 million in COVID-19 assistance and technical advice and will continue to support Nigeria’s prevention and response efforts, both now and in the future.

“These ventilators will certainly be of great benefit to the people of Nigeria,” Minister Ehanire remarked. “We particularly appreciate that this gift comes against the backdrop of the United States also fighting its own fierce battle against COVID-19. Our health workers and the people of Nigeria are reassured by the arrival of these ventilators to facilitate critical care aspects of treatment.”  

For over half a century the United States has been the largest contributor to global health security and humanitarian assistance.  USAID is on the frontlines in providing funding and technical assistance in maternal, newborn and child health, and in supporting countries, including Nigeria, in the battles against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and now COVID-19.   

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For more information contact:  Abujadoc@usaid.gov