On July 3, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), donated a first shipment of 50 brand-new, state of the art ventilators to Ecuador to assist its fight against COVID-19.
The LTV 1200 ventilators, produced in the United States, have leading edge and in demand technology. They are compact, deployable, and provide Ecuador with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus. For patients whose lungs are not working adequately despite receiving oxygen, this vital resource may prove lifesaving. The Ministry of Public Health has determined that these machines will be used initially to treat COVID-19 patients in 10 provinces.
U.S. Ambassador Michael Fitzpatrick said, “This shipment of state of the art ventilators is the result of the commitment made by President [Donald] Trump to President [Lenín] Moreno in recognition of the partnership between our countries, especially in times of need. Even as the people of the United States suffer from the COVID-19 pandemic, they extend their hand in solidarity to the people of Ecuador. These ventilators will save countless Ecuadorean lives in the months and years ahead.”
In addition to the ventilators, USAID is funding a package of additional support, which includes accompanying equipment, service plans, and technical assistance. This donation adds to the $14 million the U.S. government has committed to Ecuador in response to the pandemic. This support includes emergency food assistance; assistance to the health sector; personal protective equipment for first line responders in hospitals, clinics, and municipalities; COVID-19 test kits; and technical assistance in areas of emergency response.
For decades, the United States has been the world’s largest provider of bilateral assistance in health. Since 2009, American taxpayers have generously funded more than $100 billion in international health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance.
