Pinas, nakatanggap ng P48.7-M Aussie aid para sa Covid-19 response

NAKATANGGAP ang Pilipinas, araw ng Biyernes ng P48.7 milyong halaga ng cold chain equipment at iba pang tulong mula sa Australian government, sa pamamagitan ng United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Philippines.

Sinabi ni Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III na ang Australian government ay “long-time ally” ng Pilipinas at nagbigay ng technical, logistical, at in-kind assistance sa buong coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“These are life-saving equipment indeed critical in our pandemic response and also including some supplies and consumables, which have already arrived last year,” ayon kay Duque sa idinaos na ceremonial handover ng nasabing donasyon sa Goetz Cargo Center sa Parañaque City.

Ang Pilipinas ay nakatanggap ng  30 solar-powered vaccine refrigerator, walong walk-in cold rooms equipped na may generator, 106 set ng spare parts, at 20 set ng personal protective equipment.

“Rural health units located within geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Davao region will get a solar-powered vaccine refrigerator each,” ayon kay Unicef Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.

Ang magiging benepisaryo naman ng ibang equipment ay ang Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, at Caraga regions.

“This partnership is exemplary for our joint commitment to strengthen the national health system and making sure that health services and Covid-19 and routine immunization reach families in the Philippines,” ani Dendevnorov.

Sinabi naman ni Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson na ang donasyon ay makadaragdag sa layunin ng pamahalaan na bilisan ang Covid-19 vaccination program sa mga remote areas sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng cold storage facilities na makapag-iimbak ng malaking bilang ng mga bakuna

“It will help ensure that those most at risk and other vulnerable members of the population have equal access to vaccines,”ayon kay Robinson.

Aniya pa, nangako ang Australian government na suportahan ang Pilipinas na itaas ang cold chain capacity, paghusayin ang information management, at palawakin ang suplay ng Covid-19 vaccines.

Samantala, nakiisa naman sa idinaos na ceremonial handover ng nasabing donasyon sina DOH Undersecretary Ma. Carolina Taiño, immunization specialist Dr. Carla Orozco, cold chain officer Benme Bersola, at Unicef Health section chief Dr. Malalay Ahmadzai. (Bishop Jesus “Jemba” M. Basco)