TORONTO – Canada is donating $2.5 million worth of the specialized medical gear used to protect people who are caring for Ebola cases in West Africa.
Health Minister Rona Ambrose announced that the equipment – which is known as personal protective equipment or PPE – will be given to the World Health Organization to aid in Ebola response.
The donation is being made from surplus stock current available through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Emergency Strategic Stockpile and Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.
The WHO recently reported that some areas in the Ebola zone were experiencing shortages in the equipment needed to prevent caregivers from becoming infected.
Personal protective equipment is composed of items such as respirator masks, gloves, face shields and gowns.
Although it is cumbersome and hot, the gear is essential to protect the health-care workers treating Ebola patients.
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