On May 14, the Kyiv Military Hospital hosted a ceremony of handing over 7 ventilators from the Government of Canada through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The event was attended by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Andrii Taran, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine Larisa Galadza and the Head of UNOPS in Ukraine Irina Sahakyan-Vetter.

UNOPS and the Government of Canada had agreed to reallocate more than $ 100,000 of residual funds for the purchase and delivery of 7 ventilators that can be used during transportation and inpatient care.

Next week, the equipment will be used to provide emergency medical care to service personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Irina Sahakyan-Vetter, the Head of the UNOPS in Ukraine, noted: “The COVID-19 outbreak is a serious test for healthcare systems around the world and in Ukraine. We work closely with our partners in Ukraine and around the world to support prevention and response efforts amid the pandemic. Through these and many other projects, UNOPS in Ukraine continues to support national and international partners in the areas of emergency procurement, project management and financial management, and are ready to deepen our cooperation for the benefit of the people of Ukraine.”

Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Larisa Galadza emphasized that this is one of many examples of how Canada is helping its partners in Ukraine to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. The Ambassador welcomed the fact that the equipment had been purchased quickly and assured those present that Canada would continue to strengthen its sustainable partnership.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine Andrii Taran expressed words of gratitude to the Government of Canada for the strategic partnership and noted that the current relations between Canada and Ukraine, given their scale and depth of cooperation, are an example of how countries help each other in difficult times of crisis and hardships.

The Head of the Defence Ministry of Ukraine expressed confidence that by joining efforts the countries would overcome this challenge because Ukraine feels a reliable shoulder of support from its international partners and friends.