Australia Provides Boat and Vehicles to assist Ministry of Health’s Transportation Needs

19 August 2010

The Australian government, through its aid program, has provided a boat and three four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles to the Ministry of Health to assist it with the national typhoid vaccination campaign and the health outreach clinics on Beqa.

In a hand-over ceremony in Suva this morning, the Acting Australian High Commissioner Ms Judith Robinson said she hoped the vehicles, together with the boat, will assist health officials in their delivery of essential services to the people of Fiji.

The Ministry of Health has already started using the four-wheel-drive vehicles in its typhoid vaccination roll-out program in rural areas including on Vanua Levu.

“I am pleased the vehicles were provided in a timely manner and greatly assisted the ministry’s response to the typhoid outbreak,” Ms Robinson said. “I understand the vehicles have been used extensively in the ministry’s typhoid campaign in hot spot areas including Navosa, Cakaudrove, Taveuni, Ra and around Suva including Jittu Estate.”

Ms Robinson also handed over a new F$40,000 boat which will be used by nurses at the Health Centre at Dakuibeqa Village to undertake health outreach programs.

“This boat will serve as a vital resource for the 10 villages on Beqa and the neighbouring Yanuca Island,” Ms Robinson said.

Aptly named Vuniwai Ni Beqa, the boat which is being provided under the Australian government-funded Fiji Health Sector Improvement program (FHSIP), will also be used to transfer patients when required. It will also be used to carry drug supplies and other health-related equipment.

“The Australian government has a long and proud history of association with Fiji’s health sector,” Ms Robinson said. “Working closely with the Ministry of Health, our aid program has assisted in the delivery of essential health services to people in rural Fiji with the purchase and deployment of eight boats which have been placed at various centres around Fiji.”

In addition to the Vuniwai ni Beqa, two other boats will be provided. A sea ambulance will be based at Taveuni while a larger vessel will be based at Lagi Health Centre in the Northern Division to service all of north eastern Vanua Levu and up to Cikobia.

“We look forward to continuing our assistance to the people of Fiji to ensure that they are able to access health services,” Ms Robinson said.

*ENDS*