Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted US $100,000 (Rs 18.17 million) to Sri Lanka for the purchase of emergency medical supplies through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in support of the country’s ongoing response to the novel corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The medical supplies and materials purchased include 4 suction machines, 4 suction apparatus, 10 infusion pumps, 12 syringe pumps, 7 multipara monitors, 11 laryngoscopes, and 1 point of care analyzer.
These supplies will equip COVID-19 isolation units in 14 hospitals across the country and were procured in direct response to the needs of the Ministry of Health.
This critical medical equipment was handed over to Additional Secretary for Medical Services Sunil de Alwis by UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Tim Sutton at the Ministry of Health in Colombo recently.
This pandemic has begun to affect every sphere of life in Sri Lanka and ADB is pleased to assist in a timely manner and help the government in its fight against this disastrous virus,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Chen Chen
He added that “their partnership with UNICEF is essential for swiftly delivering this stock of medical equipment.”
Mr. Sutton said: “UNICEF has already used this funding, and its expertise to purchase important medical equipment, which will further strengthen Sri Lanka’s capacity to save lives.
UNICEF is working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka to curb the spread of COVID-19 in a number of ways, including providing technical expertise, procuring important medical supplies, and developing effective public health messaging and campaigns to reach all Sri Lankans with important information.
Meanwhile a delegation from UN has agreed to assist Sri Lanka for future activities in the medical, child protection, labour law, food, legal, economic and educational sectors while commending the progress made by health authorities, and also the efforts to provide essential services to the people.
The UN representatives, during a meeting with the members of the Presidential Task Force on Essential Services, had commended the progress made by health authorities, and also the efforts to provide essential services to the people.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the UN delegation led by UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer consisted of representatives from 11 bodies including the WHO, UNHRC, and UNICEF.
(LI)