Health gratefully receives 1.3 million SBD worth of medical supplies and 2.4m plus SBD financial assistance from China

This week, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS,) gratefully received medical supplies worth around SBD$1.3 million  along with financial aid of SBD$2.4 million plus from the People’s Republic of China.

All the medical drugs are within the current essential drugs lists, to treat common infectious diseases and NCDs hypertension or high blood and heart failure including antibiotics for bacterial infections amongst many others. It is much needed during this outbreak of influenza in country.

Group Photo

The financial assistance of SBD$2.4 million (USD$300,000) is to support ongoing logistical and operational needs of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout including for routine immunization and other urgent public health programs.

In his remarks when handing over the items, the People’ Republic of China Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Mr Li Ming said that the items provided are part of the health cooperation signed between the government of China and Solomon Islands and hence China is pleased to continuously provide support towards the health sector.

Group Photo with consignment of medical supplies

PRC Ambassador His Excellency Li Ming and PS Health Mrs. Pauline McNeil signing the transfer of supplies document

“China remains committed to working with the Solomon Islands government to improve its capacity and capability to care for the health of its people and respond to health outbreaks and emergencies. Since the outbreak, China has provided USD$920,000 dollar anti COVID-19 funding support and an extensive number of medical equipment. Combined with this donation, the total value of Chinese financial support has reached USD$1,220,000”,

“It is one of our priorities to support long-term economic and social recovery to alleviate poverty and increase living standards as a sincere development partner during these challenging times. China is also willing to take this opportunity to deepen the health cooperation and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind and a community of common health for mankind with Solomon Islands.

Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil in receiving the items thanked the Government and people of China for the important medical supplies and financial assistance received.

“The support received today is part and parcel of a larger support from the People’s Republic of China that health has benefited from at the start of our efforts to prepare and respond to COVID-19 right through to recovery. Today we are once again battling with the outbreak of Influenza in certain parts of our country thus the support provided will surely help a lot in these efforts.

“In terms of medical supplies, health has been working hard to expedite distribution of medical drugs and consumables to all our health facilities while work to release the remaining containers at the Solomon ports is continuing therefore these medical supplies will greatly help in our current distribution efforts”, explained Mrs. McNeil.

She also acknowledged PRC for ensuring that all medical drugs provided are being approved by WHO and the National Medicine and Therapeutic Committee (NMTC) for use in Solomon Islands.

-MHMS Press