The Government of Canada, through the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (PAHO), recently delivered a large stock of supplies to eleven health institutions in Colombia in Tumaco and Uribia. The donation includes personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and risk communication material. The donation was worth Can$ 261 000 and will benefit frontline COVID-19 health workers.
Throughout the pandemic, the Government of Canada has been donating stocks of material to countries in the Americas and the Caribbean to save lives, protect health workers, curb the spread of COVID-19 and ensure effective tracking. To date, Canada has contributed nearly an additional $1 million to address the impact of the pandemic on Colombia.
In Belize, PAHO donated a ventilator and accessories that will help treat patients diagnosed with severe cases of COVID-19. The ventilator is the first of a larger donation of hospital equipment through funding received from Germany.
Recently in El Salvador, the Canadian Embassy through the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (PAHO) donated 346 blood pressure monitors and 572 stethoscopes to the Ministry of Health. The equipment was worth US$ 49 000.
In Nicaragua, PAHO donated 918 800 units of personal protective equipment (protective goggles, gowns, and N95 masks), 736 000 units of surgical masks and 1 508 units of swabs and kits for the processing of tests and diagnosis. The gear will benefit frontline health workers.
In the Americas WHO has donated more than US$ 1.8 million in equipment since the beginning of the pandemic.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about how WHO has been donating equipment to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia, Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19