USAID Ingobyi activity donates medical equipment to support the national COVID-19 response

By Elias Hakizimana.

In a bid to help the government of Rwanda in fast tracking the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the USAID-funded project ‘Ingobyi’ implemented by IntraHealth has handed over a donation of medical equipment to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre to support the national COVID-19 response.

The donation that was handed over to Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) through its affiliated company ‘Rwanda Medical Supply Ltd’ On Monday, October 19, 2020 has been made possible through the financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The donation is comprised of various medical equipment that include 30 Intensive Care Units (ICU)beds, 30 oxygen cylinders, 30 flow meter/high pressure regulators, and 30 infusion pumps. The donated equipment is valued at approximately152,206USD (148.722.000 Rwf).

“This is the third donation of medical equipment to RBC to support the national response to COVID-19 by USAID Ingobyi Activity. The first batch of medical equipment comprising 100 digital blood pressure machines, 30 suction machines, and 150 Ambu bags in different sizes, valued at $23,502 (22.938.000 rwf) was delivered to the Government on May 15, 2020. The second delivery comprised of 30 patient monitor and 50 laryngoscopes with an estimated value of $50717 (Rwf 49.500.000) was delivered on 27th of July 2020.” Said Samson Radeny, Chief of Party of Ingobyi Activity in Rwanda.

The equipment donated today will be used by RBC to enhance the management of severe COVID-19 cases admitted in various COVID-19 treatment centers across the country.

Ingobyi Activity has been supporting the Rwandan COVID-19 response since the beginning of the pandemic in the country earlier this year.
Apart from the donation, USAID Ingobyi Activity is financially supporting the renovation of 3 isolation/ICU facilities that will provide care to severe COVID-19 cases across the country.

USAID Ingobyi Activity is a 5-year project that is implemented by IntraHealth international. The project works with the Ministry of Health and other partners to improve the quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) and malaria services, in a bid to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Rwanda.

The Activity builds upon the tremendous gains Rwanda has made in the health sector as well as previous USAID investments in the health sector.

Speaking to the media during the official handover, Celsa Muzayire Gaju, Chief Operations Officer at Rwanda Medical Supply Limited (RMS), she noted that their partnership with the US Government has helped in the management of COVID-19 Pandemic.

“In fact, the US Government supported us in this battle of fighting against Covid-19 pandemic, they gave us various medical equipments such as ventilators, patient monitoring equipments and their contributions helped us a lot to treat our Covid-19 patients. Our partnership has indeed helped in the management of the pandemic.” She said.