The Philippines on Thursday received 100 oxygen concentrators from Australia as part of the latter’s support to the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Australia is increasing its commitment to the Philippines in terms of Covid-19 support, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson said during the turnover event.
In August this year, Australia delivered the first batch of 100 oxygen concentrators to the Philippines, which were requested by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr.
“[W]e’re increasing our commitment [to] P433 million to make a grand total of P1.8 billion that Australia is donating to the Philippines,” Robinson said.
Some 27 hospitals nationwide benefitted from the first batch of 100 oxygen concentrators from the Australian government.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III thanked Australia for its continued support to the Philippines.
“This is really vital in our clinical management of our severe and critical Covid cases. So, this will go a long way in improving the quality of care that we provide our patients in the several hospitals that have been benefited by these pieces of equipment,” Duque said.
According to the National Task Force Against Covid-19, Australia, in partnership with Unicef, will also provide over 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines, which will arrive later this year. John Ezekiel J. Hirro