Bridgetown, Barbados, November 4, 2020 (PAHO/WHO) - As part of its continued efforts to protect health workers, the PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries made a donation of CAN$239,000 in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Antigua and Barbuda.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in Antigua & Barbuda received the PPE, during a virtual handover ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister on Wednesday.
Antigua & Barbuda received 6,200 face shields, 10,000 respirator masks, 30,000 surgical masks, 3,000 isolation gowns and 1,000 protective goggles.
The Hon. Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, described Antigua and Barbuda as “deeply appreciative of the collaboration that has worked to assist us to effectively fight COVID-19.”
Stating that Antigua and Barbuda was the first Caribbean country to open its borders to trade and tourism, Minister Joseph said “we out of necessity had to take on additional risk with the treatment of the visitors that come to our shores.”
The medical equipment was made available thanks to the support of the Canadian Government, who is represented in the territory by the Honourary Consul for Canada, Ambassador Roy Bento.
Ambassador Bento congratulated Antigua and Barbuda on their 39th anniversary of independence and pledged his country’s commitment to “doing its upmost to assist Antigua and Barbuda during these challenging times.”
He added: “We are providing life-saving assistance in the region through Pan American Health Organization. We see PAHO as a reliable and trusted partner to all of us in this time of crisis.”
“Through Canada’s contribution to PAHO,” Bento stated, “Antigua and Barbuda is receiving a total of CAN$239,000, which includes CAN$227,000 in direct support through PAHO’s office in your country and an estimated CAN$12,000, delivered through regional platforms.”
Speaking on behalf of PAHO/WHO from Barbados was Dr. Jean Marie Rwangabwoba, Advisor, Health Surveillance, Diseases Prevention and Control.
Dr. Rwangabwoba warned that caution continues to be necessary. “Despite all of the successes that we have earned in the pandemic in curbing the spread of the infection, we are reminded to remain extremely cautious, as countries continue to explore the best modalities for keeping the borders open to travel and trade, without jeopardizing the health and safety of the populations.”
The PAHO/WHO Advisor reiterated that in our new reality, PAHO’s goals remain the same – “saving lives, protecting health care workers and slowing down transmission.”
He also thanked the Government of Canada and commended them “for being one of the first partners to heed the call for solidarity to fight against COVID-19, by providing resources to OECS member states through the PAHO/WHO offices.”
