Australia, NZ help WHO deliver supplies for Covid-19 testing

The World Health Organisation, in partnership with the Australia and New Zealand governments, has provided additional laboratory supplies to Papua New Guinea to scale up testing for the Covid-19.
The supplies composed of 1,740 GeneXpert cartridges and 25,000 universal transport medium (UTM) and were handed to acting secretary Dr Paison Dakulala and deputy controller of the
National Control Centre (NCC) on July 10.
To date, PNG received more than 3,100 GeneXpert cartridges.
“Since the start of our response, the contributions of our partners have been exemplary and we acknowledge that,” Dr Dakulala said.
“We now have the supplies to test for the Covid-19 in all provinces and I call on everyone to be vigilant and enhance our testing in our health facilities.”
The GeneXpert cartridges were jointly funded by the Australia department of foreign affairs and trade, New Zealand ministry of foreign affair and trade, the Pacific community, the Pacific Island health officers association and WHO.
The supplies were transported through Australia’s Pacific Corridor, – which is ensuring essential services – and supplies can reach the Pacific.
“We greatly value the support of our partners, Australia and New Zealand, in procuring these supplies and in bringing them to the country”, said Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO representative in Papua New Guinea. “We will sustain our support not only in delivering supplies but also in continuing to provide technical assistance in the pandemic response.
“Australia is committed to strengthening the health security of PNG”, said Andrea Cole, counsellor, health security, with the Australian High Commission.
“We are pleased to work with other partners, including the WHO and New Zealand, to support Papua New Guinea’s response to the Covid-19 and ensure it has the supplies to enhance testing in the country.
Adam Linnell, first secretary, New Zealand High Commission, said: “Strong testing capability is an essential tool for addressing the challenges presented by this pandemic and for protecting communities.
“We value our close partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea, the World Health Organisation and the government of Australia.”
As the number of cases continue to increase worldwide, the risk of Covid-19 importation into the country remains very high.
“All the efforts of everyone have greatly helped us in the response and I thank all the partners for the support to date”, said Dr Dakulala.
“I call the public to continue to be vigilant and practice prevention measures as the risk remains in our country.”