Japan provides medical equipment worth US$600,000 to support Covid response
 
Community and field hospitals across the country will be able to increase their treatment capacity amid the surge in Covid-19 patients, thanks to a donation of critical medical equipment from Japan.
The equipment was provided through a grant of more than US$600,000 from the government of Japan to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak in Laos.
 It was procured through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and has been handed over to the Ministry of Health. The items included 100 oxygen concentrators, 100 patient monitors with carts, and 100 suction pumps.

The equipment is currently being distributed to provincial, community and field hospitals across all provinces of Laos and is expected to be fully delivered by the middle of December.
The items will give hospital staff essential equipment to treat Covid-19 patients, especially those suffering from severe illness.
“Japan has provided Laos with more than US$19 million to assist the country in its fight against Covid-19 as well as the 600,000 doses of vaccine provided in August,” Ambassador of Japan to Laos Mr Kenichi Kobayash said.
 “The critical medical equipment we have provided this time is expected to reach medical facilities including in vulnerable localities with limited capacities.”
 “This is another indication of Japan’s continued desire to help Laos address the current serious Covid-19 situation. We hope that the equipment will help treat and save many people in Laos who are suffering from the outbreak,” he added.
 Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith said “We highly appreciate the government and the people of Japan, and UNOPS, for the continued support to help address Covid-19 in Laos. This remarkable contribution highlights the long-lasting partnership and cooperation between our two countries.”
“The donated equipment will enable healthcare workers to provide essential treatment for patients and strengthen the government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak, leading to more recoveries.”
UNOPS project manager Ms Caroline Spigelski said “The delivery of this equipment is the latest example of UNOPS’ commitment to the people of Laos and the strength of our partnership with the government of Japan.”
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, UNOPS and the government of Japan have worked successfully together to deliver life-saving medical equipment to people in need across the world.”
“UNOPS is proud to have delivered once again and hopes that frontline medical staff and their patients are able to benefit from this equipment as soon as possible,” Ms Spigelski said.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 1, 2021)