US sends 1,000 ventilators to help SA battle coronavirus

About 4,000 ventilators were believed to be in private facilities and around half that were in public hospitals as of mid-April, and despite several companies being tasked with producing units of the breathing apparatus, none had so far materialised despite coronavirus cases increasing every day.

Ventilators are highly specialised medical equipment used in intensive care units. These are used to support individuals whose lungs are not working adequately, despite receiving oxygen.

In such individuals, ventilators may be life-saving.

As a subset of individuals with Covid-19 become critically ill, they need intensive care support – including the use of ventilators.

Ambassador Lana Marks, @USAID_Safrica Mission Director John Groarke, and @OfficialSACAA Manager for Cargo Security Andrew Dhlakama at @ortambo_int for the arrival of the first of many ventilators arriving in #SouthAfrica for their #Covid19 response. pic.twitter.com/8Gp4rWuObq

— US Embassy SA (@USEmbassySA) May 11, 2020

“For more than a half century, the United States has been the largest contributor to global health security and humanitarian assistance,” said US ambassador Lana Marks.

“These ventilators are another example of the American spirit of generosity as we battle this virus at home and together abroad with our partner countries.”

The donated ventilators, produced in the US, have state-of-the-art and in-demand technology. They are compact, deployable, and support both invasive and noninvasive applications.

They will give South Africa flexibility in treating patients infected by the coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.

These life-saving ventilator units are valued at $14 million (R256.6 million), with the accompanying equipment, service plans and shipping totalling more than $20 million.

Marks said in a statement that Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel had both noted the urgent need for ventilator capacity and production and this donation responded to that call.

The US Embassy is working closely with the South African government on the deployment of the ventilators. The ventilators will be sent to all intensive care units in hospitals that can accommodate them.

“The ventilator donation is in addition to our previously announced support to South Africa for Covid-19,” Marks said.

“Previously, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has committed $13.2 million in funding, along with $8.4 million in assistance through Usaid.

“The US department of defence has also provided the first in a series of donations of personal protective equipment,” Marks said.

“Altogether, this brings the total US government financial commitment to South Africa’s Covid-19 response to over $41.6 million (R767 million).

“Additionally, through the US president’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, the United States is supporting up to 5,400 community healthcare workers to assist with the South African government’s community Covid-19 screening campaign and provide HIV treatment support on the front lines.”

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