Help arrives

Australia, New Zealand and WHO provide life-saving drugs

 

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand, through their high commissions in Honiara (AHC & NZHC), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have sourced life-saving drugs for Solomon Islands, in response to a request from the Prime Minister’s Office received last week.

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Mr Roderick Brazier, said, “We have been following the situation closely, so as soon as the request was made we were able to work together to take action.”

The Prime Minister’s Office requested assistance with supplying 15 specific items.

On Saturday, 13 of those items arrived from Australia.

Today the remaining two items will be flown in from Australia and Fiji.

Discussing the partnership approach used to source the emergency drug supplies. Photos from AHC Communications

Mr Don Higgins, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands said, “We all used our regional networks to identify the fastest possible way to get the requested supplies delivered.”

These supplies are expected to fill the current shortage until the National Medical Store order for these items arrives in two to three weeks.

Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO Representative to Solomon Islands said, “This was a strong display of teamwork amongst partners.”

“Through close communication between ourselves and with the Solomon Islands Government, we were able to work together to meet the request within a week.”

Australia, New Zealand and WHO are in discussion with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services about providing technical expertise to review stock levels and analyse drug management systems, so that MHMS can avoid shortages in the future.

HE Don Higgins, Dr Sevil Huseynova, PM Hou and HE Roderick Brazier with the first shipment of drugs from Australia
PM Hou inspecting a sample of the lifesaving drugs

–AHC, NZHC & WHO JOINT PRESS

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