UNICEF donates ventilators to support national COVID-19 response

AMMAN — UNICEF has donated 40 ventilators to the Ministry of Health in support of Jordan’s national response to COVID-19.

During the handover event, Health Minister Saad Jaber stressed the importance of the partnership with UNICEF in supporting the health sector, especially in the face of this global pandemic, according to a statement posted on the UNICEF website.

He indicated that these ventilators will contribute to supporting the health sector and treating many patients in intensive care units who are most in need, in addition to enhancing the capacities of hospital staff in combatting the virus.

“The reality is that we will be living with the COVID-19 pandemic for the longer term so it’s critical that we continue to fully equip healthcare services and protect frontline health workers,” said UNICEF Jordan Representative Tanya Chapuisat. “UNICEF is committed to supporting the Government of Jordan to continue to strengthen the public health system to respond to this and future pandemics to create a safer world for children.” 

Leveraging its global supply chain, UNICEF has provided the 40 ICU ventilators, suitable for both paediatric and adult use, to support the national health system deal with any increased caseload of severe COVID-19 cases.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has scaled up support to the Ministry of Health by providing critical health supplies including PPEs and hand sanitiser for healthcare facilities — procured both locally and globally, based on market availability.

UNICEF is also supporting the COVID-19 national response through risk communication and community engagement campaigns urging people to continue applying preparedness and prevention measures including physical distancing, wearing facemasks and practising proper hygiene, including handwashing.

UNICEF is also supporting the ministry’s effort to continue essential health services for children that were interrupted during the COVID-19 lockdown, including the vaccination of vulnerable children living in remote and hard-to-reach communities through mobile teams.

In total, UNICEF has donated close to $3 million worth of medical supplies to the government of Jordan as part of the UN multiagency support for the National COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan 2020.

The provision of lifesaving health supplies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic is generously supported by the government of Canada.