ISLAMABAD: US Govt. via USAID has donated one million COVID-19 antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) Monday (9th of August, 2021) to help Pakistan diagnose the coronavirus and respond to urgent health needs.
These new RDTs detect infection in minutes and greatly enhance real-time monitoring, enabling health officials to quickly identify hotspots of infection. Having access to quick and accurate testing will allow Pakistan’s NCOC and the Fed. Health Ministry further mitigate the spread of COVID-19, particularly in remote locations and at border crossings.
Commenting on the significance of this timely donation USAID Mission Director Julie A. Koenen stated: “These rapid test kits will help Pakistan to more quickly detect and diagnose the coronavirus, enabling the government to adjust its strategy to curb the spread of COVID-19. This donation delivers on President Biden’s promise to stand with the people of Pakistan in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The shipment was formally received at a ceremony by SAPM on Health, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Dr. Faisal Sultan who thanked USAID for the donation and partnership and held that this endeavor was a true reflection of the Pak-US friendship.
It is pertinent to mention here that the US has delivered more than $50 million in COVID-19 assistance through its partnership with the GoP, including a donation of 200 ventilators to care for COVID-19 patients, personal protective equipment, and pulse oximeters. Since the start of the pandemic, US has worked together with Pakistan to improve infection prevention and control, enhance patient care, expand laboratory testing, disease monitoring, and case tracking in all districts, and support frontline healthcare workers.
In the month of July, 2021 the US government provided 5.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to the Pakistani people from its own vaccine supply. Separately, the US has pledged $4 billion to support COVAX, making US the single largest contributor to global COVID-19 vaccine access. Pakistan has received 2.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine since May as part of the COVAX effort.
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