ISLAMABAD: As part of its commitment to provide 77 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Pakistan, the US government sent nine million more pediatric and adult doses on Friday, its mission in Islamabad said.
Lauding the health cooperation between the two nations as the United States and Pakistan commemorated 75 years of ties, Ambassador Blome said: “The vaccines, supplies, and training we have provided to Pakistan, coupled with the expertise and dedication of Pakistan’s healthcare professionals, will allow us two countries to continue working together to combat Covid-19 and safeguard the health and safety of the Pakistani people.”
An additional $20 million worth of doses in USAID funding is also planned to support ongoing vaccination efforts in Pakistan. Since the disease’s outbreak in March 2020, Washington has provided nearly $70.4 million in direct support and $13.8 million in in-kind assistance to assist Islamabad, said a press statement issued by the US embassy.
It is pertinent to mention the United States is the single largest donor of Covid-19 vaccines to Pakistan. In addition to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the United States also recently donated four mobile testing laboratories, worth $4.6 million, to the National Institute of Health through USAID.
These labs have strengthened Pakistan’s ability to diagnose Covid-19 and other communicable diseases, especially in remote and underserved areas.
According to the statement, previously, the United States provided Pakistan with more than 1.2 million N95 masks, 96,000 surgical masks, 52,000 protective goggles, one million Covid-19 rapid diagnostic tests, 1,200 pulse oximeters, and 200 ventilators for 64 hospitals — all of which has helped save lives and protect people across Pakistan.
The US also trained over 50,000 health workers, including 30,000 women, across Pakistan on home-based care for Covid-19 patients and established a national network of disease surveillance and response units and teams — providing an infrastructure to combat the current pandemic and building resiliency for the future.
“The close coordination between the US and Pakistan, doctors, nurses, and logistics professionals continues to produce tangible, life-saving results. Every additional vaccine administered boosts our ability to prevent future Covid-19 waves,” it said.
It added the United States will continue to work with its Pakistani friends to help strengthen local capacity and infrastructure to combat Covid-19 and other communicable diseases.
