Bridgetown, Barbados, 15 July 2020 (PAHO/WHO) — The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in collaboration with the government of Canada, recently made a significant contribution of essential COVID-19 supplies to Barbados.
The government of Canada made available to PAHO the sum of CAD 7.5 million in support of addressing COVID-19 for essential action to save lives, protect health workers, and slow the spread of the virus. From this Canadian grant Barbados was allocated CAD 485,614.00.
During a donation ceremony which took place 15 July 2020, at the PAHO/WHO Office in Barbados, Dr Yitades Gebre, PAHO/WHO Representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean stated that COVID-19 essential products and supplies totaling US $200,000 were purchased. The donation included:
- Respirator Masks – 59,200
- Medical Masks – 256,00
- Protective Goggles – 2,800
- Isolation Gowns – 8,400
Dr Gebre said, “we are very pleased to contribute to the government of Barbados efforts in the preparedness and suppression of COVID-19 transmission.” He applauded the achievements of the government of Barbados and other Eastern Caribbean countries in successfully suppressing the virus and moving into the stepwise reopening of the economy.
Ms. Natalie Hutchinson, Senior Development Officer, High Commission of Canada to Barbados and OECS was also present to handover the donation to Lt. Col. Hon. Jeffery Bostic, Minister of Health and Wellness.
On behalf of the government of Barbados Minister Bostic thanked the government of Canada for the donation and PAHO/WHO for ensuring the supplies were made available. He said that “the donation came at a very important and significant time for Barbados, with the resumption of commercial flights, it signals another phase in efforts to fight the COIVD-19 pandemic, essential to the efforts is having the equipment required for frontline workers at all levels, to safely execute their duties.”
While acknowledging previous COVID-19 related donations by PAHO/WHO, Minister Bostic reiterated his appreciation not only for provision of material support, but also technical advice provided.
