US Provides Medical Logistics to Fire Service

The United States provided essential medical logistics to the Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) as part of US assistance to Bangladesh's COVID-19 response efforts on Monday.

The US Embassy in Dhaka donated equipment contains 1,000 KN95 surgical masks, 800 200 milliliter bottles of hand sanitizer, 500 pairs of surgical gloves, 300 Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) suits, 100 safety helmets, and 50 medical goggles, all of which were locally purchased from Bangladeshi companies.

U.S. Ambassador Earl Miller and representatives of the U.S. Indo-Pacific military Command handed over the PPEs to the Fire Service and Civil Defense Director of Training, Planning and Development LTC Zulfiker Rahman and Assistant Director Mohammed Abdul Momen.

To date, the US has provided more than $22 million to supplement Bangladesh's ongoing efforts to plan and respond to the spread of COVID-19 to enhance rapid detection, increase awareness and debunk disease theories and stereotypes, and help the courageous frontline, including FSCD first responders, who risk their life every day to protect everyone in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Ministry of Health ( MoH) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) will distribute PPE equipment to FSCD first responders employed to secure local populations from the spread of COVID-19.

The PPE will enable FSCD first responders to respond rapidly and safely to individuals who may have symptoms of COVID-19.

The US Embassy in Dhaka continues working in close partnership with the government of Bangladesh on a range of programs to identify and alleviate critical medical shortages across the country, including on the distribution of PPE and other medical supplies to Bangladesh first responders and designated COVID-19 medical treatment facilities.  

Today’s delivery of US-funded, locally produced PPE is one of many US Embassy Dhaka initiatives that demonstrates the US government’s continuing commitment to the Bangladeshi people, to promote mutual understanding between the two countries, to and a strong partnership helping to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said the Embassy.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the US government has committed more than $900 million worldwide in emergency health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance specifically aimed at helping governments, international organizations, and NGOs fight the pandemic.  

This funding will save lives by improving public health education, protecting healthcare facilities, and increasing laboratory, disease-surveillance, and rapid-response capacity in more than 120 countries.  

In Bangladesh, the $22 million in funding builds on more than $1 billion in health assistance provided to Bangladesh over the past 20 years and underscores the long-term US commitment to ensuring access to quality, life-saving health services for all people in Bangladesh.  

US Embassy Dhaka said it is proud to donate this essential personal protective equipment to Fire Service and Civil Defense, first responders working to protect local communities against the spread of COVID-19.  

Fire Service's first responders are critical frontline workers confronting this crisis.  

Along with emergency professionals, the military, photographers and photojournalists, citizens employed in food stores and hospitals and other enterprises, and non-governmental and civic groups, they carry out extraordinary acts of service every day.

“You're all genuine heroes … You deserve our immense gratitude,” Ambassador Miller said.

Source: UNB