Nigeria’s ability to handle more cases of COVD19 pandemic was boosted on Tuesday when the country took delivery of a consignment of fifty ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP).
These are key equipment needed to handle serious cases of COVID-19, which have been scare because of global demand for them as result of the fast spread of the diseases in many countries.
They have been major issues even in advanced economies like the United States, U.K., Spain and Italy where the demand far outstripped supply.
The UNDP Nigeria said in a tweet on its official handle, where it noted that the materials were bought with funds from the COVID-19 Basket Fund for Nigeria.
The consignment of the A30 ventilators and other medical supplies, according to the UNDP Nigeria, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday evening.
“The consignment of 50 A30 ventilators and personal protective supplies was procured with funds from the recently launched COVID-19 Basket Fund for #Nigeria including USD $2 million mobilised within the @UNinNigeria and a USD $200,000 contribution from @APMTApapa,” the agency tweeted.
The items were handed over to Nigeria by thee United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon.
Kallon said, the UN has now “walked the talk” in helping the country’s government in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
“As always,” Kallon said further on his Twitter handle, “the @UN_Nigeria has walked the talk of supporting Nigerian Government’s response to #coronavirus.”
“I am so pleased to hand over to Gov’t the essential medical supplies, including 50 ventilators, procured from #COVID19 Basket Fund.”
On his part, the UNDP Representative to Nigeria, Mo Yahaya, expressed delight at receiving the medical supplies on behalf of the country.
