New COVID-19 Test kits major Boost for our War against virus
The arrival of a new batch of GeneXpert test kits – 277 in total – capable of producing accurate COVID-19 results in just 45 minutes – is a major boost in our war against the killer virus.
We are grateful to Australia and New Zealand for securing the kits with the help of the World Health Organisation, Pacific Community and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund).
While Australia is facing more serious challenges against the virus at home it is still able to help Fiji maintain its positive performance in containing COVID-19.
The worst-hit state of Victoria is in lockdown. Other states are in temporary or partial lockdowns as 464 cases were recorded Friday/Saturday with 91,937 tests conducted. Australia has surpassed 20,000 confirmed cases. 266 have died and 11,315 have recovered based on yesterday’s figures.
But John Feakes, the Australian High Commission, says Australia continues to stand with Fiji in the fight against this pandemic.
“I acknowledge and commend the dedication and commitment shown by the Fiji Ministry of Health teams right across the system. Australia is pleased to support their ongoing efforts by working with our partners to deliver these important test kits. We will continue to support your tireless efforts,” he says.
While New Zealand has its own share of challenges to contain the confirmed cases from new arrivals at the border, Jonathan Curr, the New Zealand High Commissioner, has pledged New Zealand’s support also. The two countries are our two big development partners in the region and they have demonstrated on many occasions their unwavering commitment to step in and help during an emergency and our time of need.
These world-class kits contain 2770 cartridges to test for COVID-19, to further assist the ongoing efforts of the Ministry in testing for the virus accurately and efficiently.
They are in addition to the first two-batches which arrived in Fiji in May. Together with this shipment, it brings the total number of test kits supplied to Fiji to 365 (3650 individual testing cartridges). In March this year, Health Policy Watch, an independent global health reporting body, said the United States company that produced GeneXpert had set the coronavirus test price at US$19 (FJ$40) per cartridge for 145 developing countries and US$35 (FJ$74) for high income countries. Fiji has been commended by Australia, NZ, WHO, SPC and UNICEF, members of the Joint Incident Management Team laboratory expert cell, that procured the GeneXpert technology for those Pacific Island countries.
Deputy Director Public Health Division, SPC, Sunia Soakai, speaking on behalf of WHO and SPC, has recognised the leadership of the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete and his staff in preparing and responding to COVID-19.
UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett says all their partners are following the leadership of the ministry to ensure that Fijian children and their families remain safe during this global pandemic. He recognises that “strong partnerships remain essential for defeating this devastating virus”.
For our part, we cannot be complacent. We need to continue to comply with the remaining restrictions and follow the precautions that are still in place.