US Military Donates P6.9-M Medical Devices

Nov. 16—THE United States military donated P6.9-million ($138,600-) worth of medical equipment such as beds for the intensive care unit (ICU) and cold storage units for Covid-19 vaccine in Mindanao, according to the US Embassy of the Philippines.

The Information Office-Public Affairs Section (IO-PAS) of the US Embassy said the donations were made during seven small ceremonies between October 2 and November 10 in Pagadian City, Cotabato City, Sulu province, Iligan City and Tawi-Tawi province.

It said the donations consisted of 13 cold storage units and 50 ICU beds, which represent the continued support of the United States to the Philippines in its fight against Covid-19, especially in geographically remote and isolated areas where it is difficult to procure and deliver medical supplies.

The IO-PAS said representatives from the United States Agency for International Development's ReachHealth project recently arranged the logistics, transportation and turnover of six vaccine cold storage units capable of storing more than 120,000 vaccine vials at the Zamboanga del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office in Pagadian City.

Maj. Scott Holub, Special Operations Task Force 511.2 commanding officer, said the Filipino people and the Americans have a long-standing tradition of helping each other in times of need.

"From the liberation of Marawi to the battle against Covid-19, we will continue to support our oldest ally in Asia," Holub said.

Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., Western Mindanao Command commanding general, expressed his gratitude to the US military for the recent donations.

"I extend my sincere gratitude to our partner and ally, particularly on your kind donations to the remote hospitals within our area of operations, specifically in Cotabato, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The hospital beds and cold storage units for Covid-19 vaccines that you donated are vital components in our sustained battle against the Covid-19," Rosario said.

To date, the United States has provided more than P1.9 billion ($39.2 million) to support the Philippines' Covid-19 response, the IO-PAS of the embassy said.

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