Monday 11 May 2020
Consignment of PPEs airlifted by Air Niugini’s Boeing 767 from China to Port Moresby this afternoon (courtesy : NDOH/WHO)
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, has extended his appreciation to the people and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the donation of 45 tonnes (around 400,000) of Personal Protective Equipment that arrived in Papua New Guinea this afternoon.
Prime Minister Marape said the donation was organised in partnership with the Government of China through its Embassy in Port Moresby, the Government of Papua New Guinea through the National Department of Health and UNICEF.
“I would like to thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China and UNICEF for ensuring vital PPE’s reached Papua New Guinea to boost our preparedness to respond to COVID-19. “Another UNICEF shipment is still in Shanghai and will be brought to PNG in the coming days,” Mr Marape said.
The Prime Minister also thanked the hard working flight crew of the National Carrier, Air Niugini, for safely transporting the equipment to Papua New Guinea. He said as a part of our support to the fight against COVID-19, the same flight has assisted the people and Government of Solomon Islands to bring in 5000 surgical masks and 2000 medical disposal protective clothing from China.
Prime Minister Marape further added that Papua New Guinea also received 12,000 Rapid Testing Kits, 380 more GeneXpert cartridges and the expertise of four more Australian Defence Force personnel from the Government of Australia to help the National Health Authorities to understand the COVID-9 transmission in the country and to mitigate the threat of widespread transmission as we slowly open up the country again.