Korea boosts Fiji’s COVID-19 fight
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services received a major boost of $ 620,000 worth of COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction ( PCR) test kits yesterday.
Korea’s Ambassador to Fiji Shin-hee Cho said the 480 test kits were produced in Korea.
The test can detect as little as one viral genome among the DNA of over 23,00 host cells.
She expressed her sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Health for it’s tireless efforts to contain the virus.
While the future remains uncertain, she hopes the Government will find the testing kits helpful in their ongoing battle against COVID-19.
“The Korean Government will continue working together with Fiji in this unprecedented health emergency,” Ambassador Shin-hee said.
“Our embassy will always work hand-in-hand with the Fijian Government and people to deepen exchanges and co-operation in various fields, especially in health, epidemic prevention and socio-economic recovery, for the safety and health of the Fijian people.”
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the testing kits would enhance Fiji’s testing capabilities at the border and at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Lab in Tamavua.
“It has been 158 days since the last community case. The measures at the border have been robust and the border health unit and the other border agents have worked tirelessly to protect everyone beyond those points,” Dr Waqainabete said.
The donation from the Government of the Republic of Korea follows the assistance of medical supplies from the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) in July.