Personal protective equipment (PPE), reproductive health kits and medical supplies given by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific to Government is expected to boost efforts to combat COVID-19.
A statement from the UNFPA said the supplies would ensure continuity of essential reproductive health response services.
“In addition to the PPE, UNFPA Pacific also supplied the ministry with dignity kits for women and girls impacted by COVID-19, who required support with menstrual hygiene management, as well as dignity kits for women with disabilities.
“The sexual and reproductive health commodities being supplied by UNFPA include long-acting reversible methods of contraception, such as implants and intrauterine devices, injectable contraceptives, oral contraceptive pills and emergency contraception.
“These supplies will help ensure the people of Fiji continue to have access to a range of contraception methods and will contribute significantly to prevent unintended pregnancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
UNFPA Pacific representative and director Dr Jennifer Butler said the ministry would distribute the PPE and other supplies to prioritised health facilities across the country.
“Ensuring health workers have the support and supplies needed to provide safe sexual and reproductive health services can be a matter of life and death for women and girls,” said Dr Butler.
“The support from the government of Australia is highly appreciated and the ministry’s efforts to combat complex health challenges during Covid-19 are commendable.”
