From Fiji Sun
Suva, Fiji, September 29, 2021
New Zealand has supported Fiji’s Covid-19 Response by providing finance for conversion of four vehicles into fully equipped ambulances.
They will boost the capacity of first response teams to carry out emergency retrievals and transfers, as well as home assessments for high-risk patients.
The vehicles, now fully commissioned, will be used by the Ministry of Health and
Medical Services Pre Hospital Emergency Care Coordination Centre (PHECCC) team.
A ceremony was held on September 27, 2021 at the Central Eastern Health Command Center, PJ Twomey Hospital, Tamavua in Suva to commemorate the commissioning of the last vehicle.
Strengthening response
Minister for Health and Medical Services Ifereimi Waqainabete, who received the final ambulance on behalf of the Ministry, expressed his appreciation for the partnership with Aotearoa New Zealand and outlined plans to further develop Fiji’s first response capabilities and strengthen coordination of services.
While the ambulances were being fitted out, the New Zealand High Commission also provided rental vehicles and communications equipment for immediate use by the first response team to help meet increased demand for their services.
Since starting operations in late June 2021, the PHECCC team have undertaken more than 2220 patient retrievals with the assistance of New Zealand funded vehicles.
“Supporting Fijian first response teams in a highly practical way has helped to ensure patients get faster access to critical medical care,” New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Curr said and acknowledged the efforts and dedication of first response teams over months of high demand and difficult conditions.
He hoped that the additional vehicles will make a significant difference to Fiji’s COVID-19 response operations.
First Response Fleet Coordinator Lemeki Lenoa said that the rental vehicles, medical and radio communications equipment facilitated by NZHC have enabled the PHECCC team to respond effectively and efficiently to patients in need.
“The commissioning into service of the new ambulances strengthen this response as our area of operations has expanded,” he said.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Ifereimi Waqainabete receives documents for ambulances from New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Curr in Suva on September 27, 2021
