A number of 356 oxygen concentrators offered by the European Union and the World Health Organization were delivered to Chisinau. The medical equipment was delivered with the financial and technical support of the EU and the WHO under the EU “Solidarity for Health” Initiative to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Partnership countries, IPN reports.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, the 356 oxygen concentrators to the value of €253,000 were distributed depending on the availability of equipment and the urgent needs of each national hospital.
Oxygen therapy is a component part of therapy in treating medium and serious forms of COVID-19 for restoring the level of oxygen in case of respiratory difficulties associated with oxygenation of brain and hypoxia.
Attending the handover event, EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said the supplied equipment is a concrete example of assistance offered to the patients in the Republic of Moldova, who are struggling with the disease or are in the process of recovery. This equipment can save the lives of those admitted to hospitals.
Dr Igor Pokanevych, WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Country Office in the Republic of Moldova, said the delivery of the oxygen concentrators, made possible due to the contribution of the European Union, will significantly contribute to the treatment of infected people and will enable doctors to save those in need of ventilation and oxygenation.
“Regrettably, the number of patients with serious forms of COVID-19 rises daily. These oxygen concentrators are the chance to life for infected persons. When they are distributed, we will make sure that the national hospitals apply the necessary treatment to all patients,” said Minister of Health Viorica Dumbrăveanu.
The donation of oxygen concentrators is part of the European Union’s response to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which has registered more than 25.8 million cases in 216 countries and territories worldwide. On 27 March 2020, the European Union announced an assistance package of €30.5 million to help prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Partnership countries.
