U.S. Embassy
Avenida Marginal, 5467
Caixa Postal, 783
Maputo, Mozambique
PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Government Provides 15 Life-Saving Oxygen Concentrators to Improve Medical Oxygen Availability in Mozambique
September 8, 2021 – The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), donated 15 state-of-the-art oxygen concentrators to assist Mozambique’s efforts to increase its oxygen supply. These life-saving devices provide continuous, low-flow oxygen to patients suffering from low levels of oxygen in their blood. Based on the needs identified by the Mozambican Ministry of Health (MISAU), the devices will be delivered to eight health facilities in Nampula Province. USAID is also providing technical training for those Mozambican clinical teams that will use the machines and funded the necessary rehabilitation in each facility to safely connect and use the equipment. The total cost of the machines, training, and rehabilitation to the clinics is approximately $60,000.
These concentrators are ideal for more remote and under-resourced facilities, ensuring that patients can receive treatment close to home, when they need it. The machines create a potentially unlimited local source of oxygen that is 87-95% pure by pulling oxygen from the air and filtering other substances from it. Based on MISAU’s evaluation of current needs, the 15 oxygen concentrators will be delivered to district health facilities in Nacala Porto, Nacala Velha, Monapo, Ilha de Moçambique, Meconta, Malema, Mecoburi, and Mossuril.
“While patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms will be referred to the designated COVID treatment center in Nampula City, these devices will play a critical role in strengthening Mozambique’s resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said newly-arrived USAID Mission Director Helen Pataki. For people living far from larger, better-equipped health facilities, these oxygen concentrators can provide immediate relief. This includes patients suffering from mild COVID-19 symptoms, severe hypoxaemia caused by COVID-19, and other respiratory conditions.
The U.S. Government has delivered early and ongoing support to strengthen Mozambique’s resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic by building on this long-standing partnership between both countries. As of August 2021, the U.S. Government has invested approximately $51 million to prevent, test, trace, and treat COVID-19 cases in Mozambique. As the largest donor to the global vaccine facility, COVAX, the U.S. Government is leading the global effort to provide equitable access to quality vaccines and is the leading bi-lateral vaccine donor to Mozambique. In July, the U.S. Government donated 302,400 single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines to Mozambique, with additional vaccine donations planned.
Health programs represent a critical component of the broader U.S. Government’s assistance in Mozambique. In close collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Mozambique, the U.S. Government provides more than $500 million in annual assistance to improve the quality of education and healthcare, promote economic prosperity, and support the overall development of the nation.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises. For more information about USAIDs work to foster sustainable development and advance human dignity visit www.usaid.gov.
For more information about this press release, please contact the U.S. Embassy Maputo Press Office at MaputoPress@state.gov.
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