By Roy Mabasa
The United States government has committed more than Php139 million (about US$2.7 million) to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the US Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday.
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US government will collaborate with its counterparts in Manila to establish and implement internationally-recognized infectious disease threat prevention and response strategies and enhanced infection control.
US Embassy Spokesperson Heather Fabrikant said the new assistance will be “rapidly implemented” through the USAID’s on-the-ground partners who have been supporting the DOH to strengthen health systems.
As such, the US assistance will strengthen specimen transport systems and laboratory capacity to accurately and rapidly detect cases.
In addition, the new US government fund will help protect health workers and patients by ensuring that hygiene products, masks, waste management supplies, and other necessary commodities are available, delivered, and managed appropriately.
“More broadly, the US government-supported programs will expand communities’ disease preparedness and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services and commodities,” the Embassy said.
On top of the emergency aid for COVID-19, the Embassy explained that the US works in close partnership with the Philippine government on health projects valued at about P14.6 billion to improve the health of underserved Filipinos.