PAHO donates 2 buses, vaccine carriers, nebulizers & more to Dominica

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) donated several items to Dominica to boost their coronavirus related response. Director Carissa F. Etienne handed over two buses, portable computers, ice packs, vaccine carriers, and nebulizers.

Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit said PAHO has always supported Dominica. He said the organization donated two buses for vaccination outreach; 7 portable computers for immunization surveillance and registry; ice packs and vaccine carriers; 20 nebulizers; 20 pulse oximeters; 7,500 PPEs; 1 GeneXpert Machine; and 30,000 PCR kits.

PAHO also pledged to make ten noninvasive high flow ventilators, ten infusion pumps, 20 oxygen tanks, and 20,000 nasopharyngeal swabs available for Dominica in a few weeks.

[caption id="attachment_38810" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Buses donated by PAHO to Dominica[/caption]

He said Dominica's partnership with PAHO goes back many years. PM recalled how PAHO's contributions in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria aided in the prevention of any health outbreaks during a time when there was no running water, electricity was down island-wide, and sanitation was near impossible.

"PAHO has been at the forefront of providing advice, guidance and the mobilization and coordination of resources. Because, as you know, when this pandemic became a serious international and global concern, the bigger countries were hoarding resources," said PM Skerrit.

[caption id="attachment_38811" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Items donated by PAHO to Dominica[/caption]

He said someone was required to coordinate on behalf of small island states like Dominica, and PAHO stepped in and has done a remarkable job.

PM said PAHO assured that all member states had access to the resources to help combat the spread of COVID in our respective jurisdictions.

"PAHO continues to reach out to us as we are here with the donation of significant items that will no doubt help us in the fight against COVID-19 and very importantly to help us with our vaccination drive and our vaccination program which is so critical to us getting back to a state of normalcy."

The Prime Minister expressed his agreement with Dr Etienne that the citizenry would need to participate in the fight against the virus.

He invited the people to come forward and support the government in its efforts to eliminate the virus from its shores, "As a nation, we have to play our part. Vaccination is important And the folks who have died, I believe that some of the deaths ar,e unfortunate and could have been avoided if the right decisions were taken by these persons and their families at the appropriate time." said PM Skerrit.

He said the elderly and the people with comorbidities must get themselves vaccinated against coronavirus because they are the most vulnerable.