The care of premature babies and newborns at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) received a boost after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) gave medical equipment worth $200,000 yesterday.
The Ministry of Health chief medical advisor, Dr Jemesa Tudravu, lauded the generous gesture from JICA, saying it was a timely one and would greatly assist CWMH.
“JICA has been supporting the ministry not only through this follow-up cooperation but also through other projects across the country,” he said.
JICA representative in Fiji, Mayumi Amaike, said the assistance was possible through the follow-up cooperation scheme of JICA.
“It is JICA’s sincere hope that these equipment will be utilised during in-house training to enhance knowledge and practical skills of medical personnel working at the pediatric unit, and ultimately to improve overall care of premature babies and newborns at the hospital,” she said.
She added the equipment included infant incubators, resuscitaires and infusion pumps. JICA has been working in close collaboration with MOHMS through technical cooperation on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), 5S-KAIZEN-TQM to improve quality of health services, elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific, training of medical personnel and provision of emergency medical supplies to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
