The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is donating 200 brand-new, state-of-the-art ventilators to Kenya to assist its fight against COVID-19. The donation delivers on President Trump’s generous offer of these critically needed supplies and supports Kenya’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation was announced by U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter and visiting USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa on Monday.
The ventilators, produced in the United States, reflect leading-edge and in-demand technology. They are compact, deployable, and provide Kenya with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus, as well as those who require breathing support for other conditions.
“Over 50 years of support from the United States for health providers and health systems has provided the foundation for Kenya’s ability to trace, test, and treat patients to combat COVID-19. These ventilators are another example of American expertise and generosity in the global battle against COVID-19,” said U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter.
USAID will deliver the ventilators directly to the facilities selected by the Kenyan government and ensure that they are recorded in the inventory books of the counties receiving them. National and county officials will also sign an implementation letter prohibiting the sale or export of the ventilators. In addition, USAID is funding a tailored package of support that includes accompanying equipment, service plans, and technical assistance. As part of the Journey to Self-Reliance, USAID will be training health care workers not only on how to use the ventilators, but also on critical care patient management.
This ventilator support is in addition to the KSh 6 billion already committed to support Kenya’s COVID-19 response through equipment, testing, training, and research, as well as supporting health, water and sanitation, education, employment and food security needs to help Kenya recover from the economic and other impacts of the virus.
“USAID continues to work closely with Kenya to curb the spread of COVID-19, maintain essential public health services, and help Kenyans cope with the secondary impacts of this pandemic,” said USAID Mission Director Mark Meassick.
For decades, the United States has been the world’s largest provider of bilateral assistance in health. Since 2009, American taxpayers have generously funded more than $100 billion in health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance.
Through an All-of-America approach, the United States is providing life-saving support by coordinating with the Government of Kenya and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for investment. Because an infectious-disease threat anywhere can become a threat everywhere, the United States calls on other donors to contribute to the global effort to combat COVID-19.
