US ambassador says her gov’t has provided large financial aid for Georgian healthcare system, against COVID-19
US Ambassador Degnan spoke about US assistance for Georgia’s COVID-19 response. Photo: 1TV.
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US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has stated that the US government has provided millions of USD in support for the Georgian healthcare system and for a rapid response to the challenges sparked by COVID-19.
Degnan said that the US has provided almost $140 million in public health assistance to help Georgia build a capable, resilient and professional national healthcare system.
During the COVID-19 emergency, we can clearly see the life-saving impact of our work in this sector — the Georgian authorities and the Georgian people, working together, have swiftly and effectively acted to manage this crisis and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
She said that the United States Agency for International Development recently announced $1.1 million in new emergency health assistance to help Georgia fight COVID-19.
This new assistance from USAID will help control and prevent infection, and identify cases of the virus. It will provide technical assistance to improve Georgia’s response and ability to control the outbreak, and for communicating information about the emergency to the public.”
Degnan stated that the Embassy’s office of Defense Cooperation and Defense Threat Reduction Agency are buying more than 100,000 GEL worth of personal protective equipment to donate to the Ministry of Health.
We found a Georgian company that produces these items, which the Ministry of Health badly needs, so we’re able to buy what Georgians need from Georgian producers, a definite ‘win-win’ outcome. The US is also sending Georgia 2,000 high-quality rapid test kits that can detect the COVID-19 virus within hours.
She said that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) are working hard, in partnership with Georgia’s health authorities.
Their work supports COVID-19 testing capabilities at the Lugar Center for Public Health Research.
As for the economic challenges caused by the coronavirus, Degnan stated that the Georgian government ‘has taken some important steps to help the economy recover, and the US is contributing to that effort in a variety of ways.’
Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia has said that the support of the country’s partners will be particularly essential in the post-crisis period to help the economy. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
She said that the USAID recently provided $800,000 worth of state-of-the art equipment to Georgia’s National Food Agency to help farmers protect their hazelnut crops against stink bugs.
Another USAID Agriculture Program is accepting applications now for innovation grants designed to stimulate Georgia’s economy and help restore economic growth. These grants are available to food producers and entrepreneurs with new ideas to diversify Georgia’s economy.”
Degnan said that these are just a few examples, in one sector of many where the US Embassy is working with the Government of Georgia and the private sector to prepare ‘a strong economic recovery, once COVID-19 is behind us’.
She stated that members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia have donated nearly 3 million GEL to the Stop Cov-19 Fund.
In addition, several US branded hotels, such as the Marriott Hotel Moxy, Radisson Park Hotel, and Sheraton Grand Tbilisi have offered their hotels to the government as much-needed quarantine spaces. This frees-up hospital beds that are needed for COVID and other patients. Coca-Cola is supplying its products to quarantine spaces throughout the country.
Degnan stated that the partnership between the United States and Georgia remains strong, ‘as we confront an unprecedented emergency together.'
The US.Embassy will continue to look for more ways we can help Georgia and provide additional assistance where it is needed.
She stated that for nearly 30 years, the United States and Georgia have built a partnership based on shared values, common strategic interests, and the mutual benefits of cooperation.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has praised the Georgian government for its ‘proactive steps’ to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus. “These are challenging times, and we are all trying to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy. We at the U.S. Embassy are particularly grateful for the pro-active efforts of the government of Georgia, including the NCDC, the PM, the president, almost every ministry, and parliament, doing their best to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus and minimize its impacts”, she said.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan says Georgia is impressively coping with the challenges caused by coronavirus in an online meeting held today with Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaridze.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has thanked EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell and US Ambassador Kelly Degnan for their efforts to provide rapid support for Georgia in the fight against the coronavirus. Gakharia said that the support of the country’s partners will be particularly essential in the post-crisis period to help the economy.
Georgia has reported a total of 272 cases of the new coronavirus as of today, with 68 of these being patients who have recovered and three fatal cases.
Georgia has reported a total of 296 cases of the new coronavirus as of today. 68 of the 296 patients have recovered and three have died.There are also three Georgian citizens in the country who tested positive for the virus abroad and are undergoing treatment in Georgia. 223 patients remain infected with the virus in Georgia. A resident of Kaspi municipality in eastern Georgia has tested positive for the virus.
The United States has allocated an additional $600,000 to help bolster Georgia’s healthcare system in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, says the US Embassy in Tbilisi.