PNG to scale up testing of COVID-19 says Dakulala
Papua New Guinea will now scale up testing of COVID-19 following the delivery of much needed additional laboratory supplies says the Acting Secretary for Health and Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Paison Dakulala.
The World Health Organization in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand yesterday provided additional laboratory supplies to PNG to scale up testing for COVID-19.
The supplies which consisted of 1,740 GeneXpert cartridges and 25,000 Universal Transport Medium (UTM) were handed over to Dr Dakulala at the National Control Center (NCC) last week. To date Papua New Guinea has received more than 3,100 GeneXpert cartridges.
Since the start of our response, to where we are now, the contributions of our partners have been exemplary and we acknowledge that. We now have the supplies to test for COVID-19 in all provinces and I call on everyone to be vigilant and enhance our testing in our health facilities.”
– Acting Secretary for Health and Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Paison Dakulala
The GeneXpert cartridges were jointly funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Ministry of Foreign Affair and Trade of New Zealand, the Pacific Community, the Pacific Island Health Officers Association and WHO. The supplies were transported to Papua New Guinea through Australia’s Pacific Corridor, which is ensuring essential services and supplies can reach the Pacific.
We greatly value the support of our partners, the governments of Australia and New Zealand in procuring these supplies and in bringing them to the country. We will sustain our support not only in delivering supplies but also in continuing to provide technical assistance in the pandemic response.
– Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Papua New Guinea
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Andrea Cole, Counsellor for Health Security at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby said, “Australia is committed to strengthening the health security of PNG. We are pleased to work with other partners, including the WHO and New Zealand, to support Papua New Guinea’s response to COVID-19 and ensure it has the supplies to enhance testing in the country.”
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 Organization and the Government of Australia.
– Adam Linnell, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby
As of 15 July 2020, Papua New Guinea has 11 cases of COVID-19, with the last case confirmed on 25 June. As the number of cases continues 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. I call the public to continue to be vigilant and practice prevention measures as the risk remains in our country.
– Dr Dakulala
Dr Paison Dakulala
Deputy Controller
COVID-19 National Pandemic Response
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