ADB provides Afghanistan protective equipment

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a third batch of personal protective equipment worth more than $470,000 to help Afghanistan combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

The consignment, along with the earlier two batches delivered in July and October, would help safeguard frontline health workers.

A statement from a ADB said on Wednesday they would be distributed to medical centres across Afghanistan.

ADB Country Director Narendra Singru said: “The PPE plays a critical role in reducing COVID-19 infections in health workers who risk their health and lives to treat patients.”

“The supplies provided today reaffirm our commitment to building resilience of the country’s national health system especially in the face of a possible second wave of infections.”

The support was financed through a $2.73 million grant under ADB’s technical assistance on regional support to address COVID-19.

The grant finances the procurement of urgently needed PPEs including masks, gloves, gowns, protective suits, face shields, hygiene sets, antiseptics, and other medical equipment.

Part of ADB’s overall response to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Afghanistan, the support includes a $40 million emergency assistance grant.

ADB’s response enables an integrated approach to improving patient treatment and management by developing emergency facilities, procuring medicines and medical equipment, and training frontline health workers.

ADB affirmed its commitment to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

sa/mud

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