Thursday 25th March 2021: Through collaborative efforts 35 portable ventilators have been donated to Rescue 1122. Chief guest Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Health Minister Punjab and Guest of honour Secretary Health, Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan, graced the event held at Rescue 1122 Headquarters and handed over the Umbulizers to the Rescue 1122 team.
Commenting on the generous initiative, Dr. Yasmin Rashid said, “I would like to thank ABF, Helping Hand USA, Ferozsons Laboratories Limited, Association of Pakistani Physicians in New England (APPNE), Pakistan Association of Greater Boston (PAGB) and all those involved in the donation drive of critically needed Umbulizers for an urgent response to the rising COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan. It gives me great pride to know that our very own Pakistanis have developed Umbulizer and received international recognition from Harvard and MIT for their innovation. As we celebrate Pakistan Day, I can see a bright future where the next generation continues to create social impact and come back to serve their country. Traditional Ventilators cost $40,000 on average and are only limited to ICU’s. By deploying low cost Umbulizer ventilators we can save millions of tax-payer dollars in imports and at the same time expand access to ventilatory care in ERs and District HQ’s as well. During the current pandemic, health measures are a priority for the Punjab government and together we hope to effectively overcome the crisis at hand. These Umbulizers will provide instant care to critical patients thus saving many lives.”
While talking about this initiative, CEO Ferozsons, Mr. Osman Khalid Waheed, said, “We need to work together in this difficult time. All businesses should collectively show unity to combat the challenges of Covid 19. He further added that these ventilators, known as Umbulizers, have been developed by Pakistani students at Harvard, MIT, and Boston University and received an emergency use authorization from the USFDA. As the name suggests, these umbulizers can be easily moved from one place to another. Ferozsons takes great pride in standing committed with the country’s health facilities to provide medical care to Pakistani citizens”.
Director General Rescue emphasized the importance of equipping frontline workers with tools they need to save lives and said, “Rescue 1122 has always been at the forefront of delivering care in the field. We have transferred over 16,000 patients during the first and second wave and Umbulizer ventilators have been pivotal in our rapid response across districts in Punjab. With more devices we will be able to expand access and scale our impact”
PAGB President Siraj Khan, reiterating the importance of improving the health care facilities of Pakistan said, “Keeping in view the current health care crisis at hand, health measures must be a priority for the government, firms, and the overall society as collective efforts have drastic effects. We believe that the Pakistani diaspora can play a crucial role in supporting healthcare organizations and be better equipped to combat COVID-19. We want to thank members of PAGB and members of APPNE for their continuous support. This is just the beginning and we want to expand to other provinces as well”
Ilyas Choudry, Program Director Helping Hand USA added, “I would like to thank all our overseas Pakistanis for their generous support in this initiative. I am happy that we were able to work with the inventors of these portable ventilators and support them in bringing
Umbulizers to Pakistan and in particular to Rescue 1122, for immediate use in ambulances all over Punjab.”