Programs and Events

Dr. Antonio Carlos Barrios; Deputy Chief of Mission, Michael Fitzpatrick; and Dr. Antonio Arbo

Embassy of the United States donates equipment and supplies to combat yellow fever February 29, 2008 Michael Fitzpatrick, Deputy Chief of Mission, and John Beed, USAID Director in Paraguay participated in the donation of equipment, supplies and computer equipment to the "Yellow Fever Situation Room" of the Ministry of Public Health.

Also at the event were Health Vice Minister, Dr. Antonio Carlos Barrios; the General Coordinator for the national campaign against the yellow fever, Dr. Antonio Arbo; USAID Assistant Director, Sergio Guzman; and Carlos Mazuera, UNICEF representative.

During the event, Michael Fitzpatrick expressed that the United States is committed to collaborate with Paraguay in this yellow fever epidemics. Viceminister Barrios said it was  "a gratifying day for the Ministry for having representatives of the United States government who have come to donate equipment and supplies for the Situation Room".

Concrete actions of the Embassy of the United States of America

Valued at more than 300.000 American dollars

The Embassy of the United States of America reaffirms its support and continuous commitment towards the Government of Paraguay to combat yellow fever and give response to the most critical needs, with specific and immediate actions. Assistance to the sanitary emergency has a value of more than 300.000 American dollars , since the emergency state was declared by the Paraguayan government on February 15. Through the Office of Defense Cooperation the Embassy of the United States of America will provide the Ministry of Public Health and Social Wellbeing the following:

- 1.000.000 syringes to administrate yellow fever vaccines ($150.000);

- a thermic recycling equipment to analyze blood samples;

- reactive for the Central Laboratory;

- 500 coolers to store vaccines ($50.000);

- office equipment (computers, photocopiers, infocus, telephones, fax machines, paper in general) and supplies for the Monitoring and Control Section for Yellow Fever at the Ministry of Health ($10.000);

- technical consulting services of 3 American epidemiology specialists from the Center of Medical Research of the Marine in Lima, Peru. These professionals also provided reactives to the Central Lab for the diagnosis of yellow fever ($40.000).

These actions are part of the immediate reaction of the Embassy of the United States of American, of 50.000 American dollars in cash donated on February 15. This money was donated through the Pan-American Health Organization to buy reactives that make the monitoring of cases possible.