Equipment to benefit 600,000 Fijians
ESSENTIAL health equipment handed over to the Ministry of Health and Medical services will benefit more than 600,000 Fijians including 3000 health care workers.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the medical supplies would be distributed to all health care facilities around the country, contributing to the improvement of health care.
“Our nation is currently on the road to social, health and economic recovery after COVID-19 and we acknowledge this generous support, for without it, we would not be travelling this recovery path,” he said.
US Embassy deputy chief of mission Rebecca Owen said the United States was proud of the partnership built with the ministry to respond to the COVID-19 situation.
“We believe that this collaboration was critical to the efforts to combat COVID-19 and will pave the way to building a stronger, more resilient nation that is ready to face future challenges,” she said.
The equipment includes items such as vaccine refrigerators, GeneXpert machines, tents, temperature loggers and swabs as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, and aprons.
The PPE will be distributed to over 190 vaccination points within primary healthcare facilities in Fiji to support infection prevention control for healthcare workers during immunisation sessions. This handing over was made possible through the partnership with UNICEF and the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). like our ancestors used to do. From timekeeping, to calculating our speed, distance, and position every day, we just use it by observing nature.”
He said two programs were done already with another due next month that included canoe building, sailing and navigation.