The United States has said that the ventilators promised by President Donald Trump will arrive in the country in two weeks.
It, however, added that the delivery depended on production and shipping times.
Trump had said his administration would send 250 ventilators to Nigeria and 1,000 units to South Africa which has the highest COVID-19 cases in Africa.
The US Embassy in Nigeria on Monday said the ventilators would arrive by the middle of June.
The mission stated this in response to inquiries by The PUNCH on the number of ventilators that would be sent and the time of delivery.
The US President had on April 28 promised to send ventilators to Nigeria to assist in the treatment of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Trump made the pledge during a telephone conversation with the President, Major General, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), during which they also discussed efforts by both nations to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Providing an update on Trump’s pledge, the US embassy stated, “On April 28, President Donald J. Trump spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss efforts by both nations to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“President Trump affirmed the United States’ strong support for the people of Nigeria and offered additional support for the nation’s response efforts, including by producing and donating ventilators to the people of Nigeria. The United States anticipates that Nigeria will receive the ventilators by mid-June, depending on production and shipping times.”
But the US Mission was silent on the amount the Federal Government was expected to pay for the breathing equipment which costs between $5,000 and $30,000, depending on the model; accessories, service plans and shipping.
It also did not respond to questions on whether the machines and accessories would be provided free.
