UNICEF distributes essential PPE for front line health workers
PORT MORESBY, 24 JULY 2020 – UNICEF this week delivered more than 100,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Port Moresby General Hospital for front line health workers responding to COVID-19 in the National Capital District.
These PPE - gloves, surgical masks, protective goggles, face shields, gowns, coveralls, shoe covers, caps and thermometers - were procured by UNICEF through funding support provided by the Governments of Australia and Japan, and Newcrest Mining Limited to support the PNG Government’s response to COVID-19.
“We thank our donors and contributors for the swift and generous support they offered very early on shortly after the country’s preparedness started in January 2020. Their support allowed us to bring in these essential PPE for our health workers despite the numerous logistic challenges we faced in shipping vital supplies,” UNICEF Representative, David Mcloughlin said.
“With the spike in new cases confirmed over the past few days, the safety of health workers is critical and UNICEF is committed to ensuring that the protection of our dedicated front line health workers continues to remain a top priority in support of the NDoH,” Mcloughlin reiterated.
More than 300,000 items of PPE from this procurement are also being prepared with NDoH for Provincial distribution in the coming days.
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UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in Papua New Guinea, visit https://www.unicef.org/png/
