A shipment of ventilators & other essential medical supplies procured by the United Nations System in Nigeria to support the Govt’s #COVID19 response arrived at Nnamdi Azikwe Int’l airport today.
The UN System in Nigeria has handed over to the Nigerian government a shipment of 50 A30 ventilators, personal protective equipment and other essential medical supplies to support the government’s COVID-19 response.
The equipment were procured with funds from the recently launched COVID-19 Basket Fund, including USD $2 million mobilised within the UN System in Nigeria and a USD $200,000 contribution from APM Terminals.
Speaking during the handover at the cargo terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nigeria world, Edward Kallon noted that the world is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis adding that the spread of the COVID-19 is expected to put immense pressure Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He observed that the UN in Nigeria is actively mobilising resources in support of the Government’s national response strategy of containing the pandemic and adequately caring for those confirmed to have the virus.
Kallon added that the arrival of the medical equipment and supplies will be a boost to the Government’s efforts to provide an efficient and effective healthcare response for those affected by the virus.
He said, “The supplies will be deployed around the country to health facilities in most need due to the outbreak and coordination structures are already in place between the Government and the UN to ensure urgent deployment. The next shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) expected to arrive in Nigeria later this month.
“Through the COVID-19 Basket Fund, the UN in Nigeria is supporting accelerated Government response to address the pandemic, prevent further spread of the virus and ensure optimum care for those affected by coronavirus” he said.