Tuesday April 21, 2020
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The U.S. has donated 350 hospital beds to Somalia to bolster the fight against COVID-19 as the number of cases in the country rise sharply.
The U.S. embassy in Mogadishu said Monday in a statement the U.S. government through its international aid agency USAID handed over 350 bed and 500 bedsheets to ‘support the Somali Government in preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19.’
“The United States is proud to assist the Somali Government during this critical time," said the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Donald Y. Yamamoto. “Well equipped isolation centers where patients are well cared for and are safely and comfortably separated, will help limit the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country.”
According to the embassy, the beds and accessories will in the ICU units of De Martino hospital and in isolation centers in Mogadishu and be distributed to newly established isolation centers in the regions helping medical personnel to provide life-saving care to their patients.
Health Minister Fawziya Abikar lauded the donation noting it will be instrumental in supporting the country’s efforts in fighting COVID-19.
“This generous investment makes it possible to save lives, and better prepares us to control the infectious nature of COVID-19,” said Minister of Health Fawziya Abikar Nur. “To beat this outbreak, everyone needs to continue to peacefully follow health guidelines, observe social distancing, and maintain good hygiene practices.”
Somalia has since recorded 237 cases of COVID-19. A further 73 cases were confirmed Monday.