Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III receive 100 units of Vyaire LTV2 2200 Ventilators from US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim during the ceremonial turnover at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañan Palace on August 28, 2020. (Rey Baniquet/Palace Photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The United States has donated 100 new ventilators to the Philippines amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The ventilators were turned over by US Ambassador Sung Kim to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in Malacañang on Friday.
Joining the Executive Secretary were Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Borje and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Proud to deliver 100 brand-new, state-of-the-art ventilators to Philippine government. Part of our strong support for Philippines’ #COVID19 response, these life-saving ventilators were made specifically for our #FriendsPartnersAllies. @USEmbassyPH #AmericaActs pic.twitter.com/EnLjBiE3PB
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) August 28, 2020
In a tweet, Kim said the donation is part of the “strong support” of the US government to the Philippines’ coronavirus fight.
The Philippines has a total of 209,544 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the highest in Southeast Asia. Of the total cases, 134,474 have recovered while 3,325 died.