Fijian medical technicians and doctors are undergoing training on how to operate the 30 ventilators donated by the U.S. government in August to help with the fight against COVID-19.
US Ambassador to Fiji Joseph Cella visited the CWM Hospital today to meet with the participants of the training organised by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented by the Pacific Community.
Cella says these ventilators, along with the other U.S. government development assistance in the region, represent their strong commitment as Pacific neighbours, allies, and partners to overcome COVID-19.
He says he is pleased that they are providing training to make the best use of the donated ventilators.
The U.S. delivered 40 brand-new ventilators to the governments of Fiji and Nauru. 10 more are on the way to Kiribati. USAID is proud to donate these U.S.-produced ventilators to support the #PacificIsland region’s response to #COVID19. https://t.co/HOaWEZvevQ #AmericaActs pic.twitter.com/5Vm0N2yTCB
— USAID PacificIslands (@usaidpacificisl) August 19, 2020
Cella formally handed over a total of 50 brand-new, state-of-the-art ventilators to Fiji, Kiribati, and Nauru in response to President Trump’s direction to ship ventilators to assist partners and allies in the Pacific islands, Asia, and around the world to fight COVID-19.
The 30 for Fiji will be used in hospitals in the central, western, and northern divisions to boost efforts to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease in communities throughout Fiji.
The ventilators, manufactured in the United States, employ lifesaving, state-of-the-art, in-demand technology.
Ventilators are highly specialized medical equipment used in intensive care units to support individuals whose lungs are not working adequately to receive oxygen.
In addition to the ventilators, USAID is funding a tailored package of support that includes clinical training for the frontline health workers to safely use and maintain the ventilators.
