Personal protective equipment and other medical supplies were delivered to Fiji to strengthen the island nation’s capacity to respond to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The supplies were financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Japan, and procured by UNICEF.
A statement from UNICEF quoted Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete welcoming the timely assistance.
“… We extend our sincere gratitude to the donors and our development partners who have always been a power of strength in difficult times such as this. This donation will greatly assist the frontline healthcare workers to protect the borders and stop the spread of the infection in the community,” Dr Waqainabete said.
The ADB and Japanese government’s financed supplies that include masks, face shields, coveralls and gowns to improve infection prevention control, as well as biomedical devices such as thermometers, oxygen concentrators and electrocardiogram recorders to improve the clinical management of COVID-19 patients.
These supplies will also ensure that frontline healthcare workers are well equipped and protected from potential infections and enable the undisrupted delivery of essential services to the communities they serve.
“Health care workers play a vital role in stopping the virus in its tracks, yet at the same time they are most at risk of contracting it,” said Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Fiji Masayuki Tachiiri.
“We will continue to work with our partners to help protect these workers at the frontline of Fiji’s COVID-19 response.”
The supplies, arriving in staggered shipments, will help build the capacity of the local health system to manage COVID-19 cases as well as limit transmission.
