Press release
Government Ministers announce COVID-19 assistance for Brazil
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, with a number of government departments, the HSE (Health Service Executive) and state agencies, are working together to provide assistance to Brazil in response to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak there.
A donation of 47,520 vials of the drug Atracurium will leave Dublin today for Sao Paulo, Brazil and has been donated by the Health Service Executive and Government of Ireland.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) is coordinating the dispatch of this medication through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, working with the Department of Health, the HSE, Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Transport, Revenue and others. This support from Ireland is part of the coordinated effort by EU Member States currently underway to provide a collaborative response following Brazil's request for assistance.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD said:
"I am pleased that Ireland is in a position to respond to Brazil’s request of EU member states for assistance. This medication will support frontline healthcare workers in Brazil to deliver life-saving care to COVID-19 patients who need it. I am grateful to all those who have worked together to make this vital donation happen."
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said:
"I'm glad that my department is assisting in the co-ordination of this dispatch of vital medications to Brazil – assistance like this will make a real difference to the people of Brazil in their difficult fight against COVID-19. We are responding to a global problem and we will need a global effort to beat it. The dispatching of this aid is a timely reminder to us all that there are countries still struggling to get to grips with this pandemic and I am very glad we can help."
Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD said:
“Ireland is proud to play its part in this co-ordinated effort by EU Member States to respond to Brazil's request for assistance in its struggle with COVID-19. The vital medicines Ireland is providing will assist in the critical care of the most vulnerable COVID-19 patients in Brazilian hospitals. Ireland stands with the people of Brazil, conscious of the vibrant contribution which Brazilians are making to life in Ireland. Like us, they too have been separated from family, friends and loved ones during this pandemic and it is only right that we show solidarity. The Irish Aid programme, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, is supporting the delivery costs of this donation of medical aid, part of Irish Aid’s €100 million contribution to global public health this year."
Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management said:
"Team Europe is committed to the global fight against the pandemic and its health, social, economic, humanitarian, security and political impacts. Our global responsibility as a humanitarian actor has never been more pronounced than since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reach of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism goes well beyond the EU's borders, and with this approach, Team Europe is showing leadership, responsibility and solidarity with those most affected by COVID-19."
Atracurium is a muscle relaxing drug that is used when ventilating sick patients with COVID-19 in intensive care. This is a life-saving drug as its use during mechanical ventilation of COVID-19 patients improves breathing support and reduces mortality.
Donations of equipment to assist with the COVID-19 response have also been coordinated and dispatched to India and Nepal from Ireland under the same European Civil Protection Mechanism in recent months. These donations were in response to requests by the governments of India and Nepal for assistance from the EU.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is coordinating the EU's response and the European Union is co-funding the action. Further EU updates available using the #TeamEurope hashtag.