THE New Zealand Government is providing more medical supplies for Solomon Islands as part of its ongoing COVID-19 response to enable a safe commencement of all schools nation-wide.
A statement from New Zealand High Commission in Honiara said the medical equipment arrived late last month as part of its ongoing support and friendship to Solomon Islands.
“As part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s continuous support towards Solomon Islands’ response to COVID-19, we were pleased to provide additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits,” the statement said.
The items were delivered to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) on a NZ Defence Force Force flight on 27 April.
The NZ High Commission said the supplies included 140,000 RATs, as well as over one million surgical masks and N95 masks.
“These RATs and PPE will support the MHMS-led COVID-19 health response, and will also support MEHRD’s efforts to prepare schools for a COVID-safe reopening,” the statement said.
The NZ High Commission Office also acknowledged its partners for safely delivering the medical items.
“A massive shout-out and tagio to the NZDF for the logistical support, as well as to our partners in the Australian Defence Force and Republic of Fiji Military Forces who helped offload the supplies upon arrival at Henderson Airport.
“Aotearoa New Zealand values our partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands through the MHMS and MEHRD,” the statement said.
The New Zealand Government recently supported with the country through the provision of 110,000 Johnson-Johnson vaccination doses.
By MOFFAT MAMU
