Australia to donate P70-M worth of medical supplies to AFP

From GMA News Online (Oct 22, 2020): Australia to donate P70-M worth of medical supplies to AFP

Australia will donate almost P70 million worth of medical and personal protective equipment to support the infectious disease wards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Australia’s Minister for Defense said Thursday.

Linda Reynolds said this will include equipment such as beds, mechanical ventilators, electrocardiogram machines, laboratory fridges, cardiac monitors, pulse oximeters, UV sterilizers, and personal protective equipment.

“This contribution builds on the $1 million support that Australia provided through our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program for the expansion of the infectious disease ward of the Victoriano Luna Medical Center in Manila earlier this year,” Reynolds said in a statement.

In her first visit to the country, Reynolds said she met with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to discuss respective COVID-19 responses and their shared commitment to regional security and stability.

“We noted that we have also continued to deepen our cooperation through the conduct of COVID- safe exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defense Force, as well as defense industry cooperation,” Reynold said.

The Defense Minister said both affirmed their “shared interests in upholding maritime security in the region, including the South China Sea.”

“The Philippines is an important security partner for Australia, and we continue to work closely together in support of our shared commitment to an open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Reynolds said.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/761010/australia-to-donate-p70-m-worth-of-medical-supplies-to-afp/story/