U.S. Makes 250 Ventilator Support to Ethiopia’s COVID-19 Response

ADDIS ABABA – The U.S. government has donated 250 state-of-the-art ventilators and other critical care equipment to assist Ethiopia with its response to COVID-19, its embassy said on Tuesday.

The make the latest donation four months after its President Donald Trump pledged to offer to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of these critically needed supplies, during a phone conversation the two leaders had end of April.

“Today, the United States reinforces its unwavering commitment to the Ethiopian people,” said U.S. Ambassador Michael Raynor at the handover event.

“This donation is a critical addition to the billions of dollars in resources and expertise that the American people have invested in Ethiopia’s health system in recent years,” the ambassador added.

Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Lia Tadesse expressed her government’s appreciation to the US government regarding the “much-needed donation of critical care equipment”.

“Ethiopia appreciates President Donald Trump’s generous contribution, and that of the American people to our citizens,” she said.

The two countries, she said, “share a long history of cooperation, and the support of the United States Government over the years has helped strengthen and enhance the Ethiopian health system.”

To date, Ethiopia has confirmed nearly 20, 000 coronavirus patients including 343 deaths.