US Ambassador to Việt Nam Daniel J Kritenbrink (sixth from right) hands over the ventilators to Việt Nam on Wednesday. — Photo courtersy of the US Embassy in Hà Nội

HÀ NỘI — The US government has donated 100 brand-new ventilators to Việt Nam through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The ventilator handover ceremony was held on Wednesday with the participation of US Ambassador to Việt Nam Daniel J Kritenbrink, USAID/Việt Nam Mission director Michael Greene, acting Minister of Health Nguyễn Thanh Long and National Lung Hospital director Dr Nguyễn Viết Nhung.

“The world is impressed by Việt Nam’s strategy and proactive measures in tackling COVID-19,” said Ambassador Kritenbrink, “but this serious disease remains a threat in Việt Nam and the world. Building on the strong relationship between our countries over the last 25 years, the US government is pleased to support our friends in Việt Nam with this donation of ventilators to fight the coronavirus.”

In addition to the ventilators, the US government, through USAID, has committed US$9.5 million to Việt Nam in response to the pandemic to strengthen clinical care, disseminate health messages, build laboratory capacity, improve disease surveillance, as well as support private sector recovery by mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the Vietnamese economy.

For decades, the US has been the world's largest provider of bilateral assistance in health. Since 2009, American taxpayers have funded more than $100 billion in health assistance and nearly $70 billion in humanitarian assistance worldwide.

In Việt Nam, over the past 20 years, the US has invested more than $706 million in health assistance and more than $1.8 billion in total assistance. — VNS