USAID donates 50 new ventilators to Fiji, Kiribati and Nauru

The United States Government through the USAID has donated 50 new ventilators to Fiji, Kiribati and Nauru to assist their fight against COVID-19.

Fiji has received 30 while Kiribati and Nauru have received 10 each.

While receiving the donation, Minister for Health Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says we always look towards the US as a leader.

Dr. Waqainabete says we are privileged to have the US as a friend.

Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati and Nauru, Joseph Cella says the US continues to lead the global response to this financially devastating and cruel plague, allocating nearly US $21 billion in the global fight against it.

Cella says this donation from the American people will boost Fiji, Kiribati and Nauru’s health care preparedness capacity to respond with such treatment should any case arise.

Cella says these ventilators is in addition to the US government’s $24.2 million investment to help Pacific Island countries to manage risk communication, prevent and control infectious diseases in health facilities and support logistics and coordination efforts to address this unprecedented global health crisis.

Over the past 20 years, the US has invested over $5.21 billion in assistance to the Pacific Island and over the last decade, the US has invested more than $650 million for health in the Pacific Islands.