The US Embassy has provided essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to Bangladesh Police as part of continued US support for Bangladesh's COVID-19 response efforts.

Ambassador Earl Miller and Embassy representatives of the US Military's Indo-Pacific Command handed over the equipment to Bangladesh's Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed on Wednesday.

The donated PPE includes 4,000 KN95 surgical masks, 3,200 bottles (200-milliliter) of hand sanitiser, 4,000 pairs of surgical gloves, 550 pounds of powdered bleach, 22 disinfectant backpack sprayers, 700 face shields, and 25 infrared thermometers, says a US embassy statement today.

All of the equipment have been purchased locally from Bangladeshi companies.

The statement says police efforts have played a key role in Bangladesh's COVID-19 response, supporting the public and health ministry initiatives throughout the country.

This is the fourth in a series of planned PPE distributions from the US to Bangladesh. To date, the US, through the Department of State and USAID alone, has provided over $43.4 million in aid to combat COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

US Embassy Dhaka is providing assistance to organisations throughout Bangladesh, building on more than $1 billion in health assistance provided to Bangladesh over the past 20 years.

"This funding emphasises the long-term US commitment to helping ensure access for all people in Bangladesh to quality, lifesaving healthcare," the embassy statement said.

Bangladesh's police, and other first responders, together with health care workers, customs officials, people who work in grocery stores and pharmacies, journalists, and volunteer organisations perform remarkable acts of service every day, it said, adding, "They are genuine heroes."

"The US remains committed to working in partnership alongside Bangladesh to fight this pandemic and to further strengthening our countries' already deep ties," the statement said.

https://www.thedailystar.net/us-embassy-provides-ppe-to-bangladesh-police-1927509