Canada grants 162 ventilators, medical supplies to fight corona

Islamabad : As part of its support for Pakistan’s response to COVID-19 pandemic and its healthcare system, the Canadian government handed over 162 ventilators and related medical supplies to Pakistani authorities during a special ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office here on Thursday.

According to Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour, the donation of ventilators and medical goods came at the request of Pakistan.

Delivered through a Royal Canadian Air Force flight, they will be distributed based on the needs identified by the Pakistani government.

"Canada is proud to continue to work with Pakistan and partners towards a coordinated response to COVID-19 and to build on its longstanding partnership to improve health systems and service delivery in Pakistan. Today’s contribution is part of our continued support to Pakistan’s anti-coronavirus response since the beginning of the pandemic, which, up to this point, includes about $16 million to support strengthening surveillance, lab testing, health worker training and other essential activities, as well as Canada’s broader support to countries, including Pakistan, through global health partnerships," she said.

The envoy said Canada’s support for COVID-19 response had been targeted to those most in need, particularly women and girls, who had been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

She said at the global level, Canada was providing $545 million to the COVAX Facility for vaccine procurement, distribution, and delivery in 92 countries, including Pakistan, and was supporting UNICEF to provide additional medical supplies to Pakistan, in part through a $230 million contribution to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, announced in Dec 2020.

According to her, Canada also announced new support through the World Health Organisation to strengthen and improve the resilience of primary and essential health care service delivery in ten countries, including Pakistan.

“Canada values its partnership with Pakistan to promote strengthened health systems, and more recently in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Today’s contribution builds on this collaboration and will help ensure essential medical services are available to the most vulnerable, including women and girls, when and where they need them,” she said.