Argentina's health system is on the verge of collapse as the country is overwhelmed by coronavirus cases. Hospitals are running out of space and resources are few and far between. The country has recorded 246,499 total cases and 4,634 deaths because of the virus. On the whole, South America is at its worst moment yet with the virus.
Ventilators — used for treating the most severe cases — are running low in supply. Back in May, Lionel Messi donated €500,000 to the Fundación Garraha and its campaign “Together for the Health of Argentina” (Juntos por la Salud Argentina).
And before that, the star donated €1 million to the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Both donations have been used in hospitals to purchase personal protective equipment, monitors, breathing pumps and computers.
Leo Messi hace una donación para la lucha contra la #Covid19 en el #CLÍNIC. Muchas gracias Leo, por tu compromiso y tu apoyo. @idibaps #Covid19 #YoMeQuedoenCasa
https://t.co/crwjKOSBdU pic.twitter.com/P1cqEeNLgD— Hospital CLÍNIC (@hospitalclinic) March 24, 2020
The forward's most recent donation to the cause is 50 ventilators to Rosario, Argentina, through the Leo Messi Foundation.
A través de la Fundación Leo Messi, el argentino ha hecho llegar 50 respiradores a los hospitales de Rosariohttps://t.co/ru1Y2f6bsk— Diario SPORT (@sport) August 10, 2020
A ventilator can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on grade. So on the low end, Messi donated another $250,000 — on the high end $2,500,000.
As of Friday, Aug. 7, Rosario had received the first 32 of the 50 ventilators. The remaining are expected to arrive soon.
