(29 August 2020) – The United States (US) Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently donated 100 units of brand new Vyaire mechanical ventilators, model LTV 220 with consumables, to the Philippine Government, through the Department of Health, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The total value of donation amounts to USD 1,527,685.50 (Php 76,384,275.00).  These ventilators will be distributed to different hospitals in seventeen (17) regions including BARMM.

A simple turnover ceremony was held on August 28, 2020 at 10:00 AM, Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang Palace.  This was attended by the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Sung Y. Kim and USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy from the US Side and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and Chief of Presidential Protocol Undersecretary Robert Borje from the Philippine side. The ceremonial turnover was coordinated by the Bureau of International Health Cooperation, in collaboration with the Office of the President.

From left: DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and Mission Director Lawrence Hardy