High Commission of India
Suva
Press Release
Medical Consignment for Children handed over by India to Fiji
A Consignment of Medical Supplies valued at INR 1,04,23,685.00 (approx. FJ$ 282,481.00) containing medicine and injection for children under essential Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) programme was handed-over by the Government of India to the Government of Fiji on 29 April 2024 at a ceremony held at the Fiji Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Service Centre in Suva.
The medicine supplies for children as requested by the Government of Fiji were delivered as a grant assistance to augment the supplies required by Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji.
2. The medicine consignment included Amoxycillin suspension, Trimehoprim suspension, Erythromucin suspension, Paracetamol Mixture, Zinc oxide cream, Econazole cream, Nystatin drops, Chloramphenicol Eye Drops, Chloramphenicol Ear Drops, Chloramphenicol Injection and Vitamin A injection.
3. On behalf of the Government of India, High Commissioner H. E. Mr. P. S. Karthigeyan handed over the medical consignment to Minister for Health and Medical Services of the Government of Fiji, Hon’ble Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu. Prominent dignitaries in attendance at the event included Head of Family Health, Dr. Rachel Devi, Head of Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services, Mr. Jeremaia Mataika, and other senior Government health officials.
4. In his remarks, High Commissioner Karthigeyan highlighted the strong focus on cooperation in the health sector in India’s development partnership with Fiji. Recalling India’s role as a first responder during the various times of need in Fiji including the recent Covid Pandemic and the fight against rising HIV infections in Fiji, the High Commissioner said the 100 bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva to be established by Government of India will be a major milestone in our development partnership with Fiji and the wider pacific region. On the occasion, he also gave an overview of the world leading capacity of Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry, especially in the area of generic medicines and their key role in improving access to quality healthcare across the world.
5. Minister for Health and Medical Services of Government of Fiji Hon’ble Dr. Lalabalavu thanked the Government of India for continuing assistance in healthcare sector and for the latest donation of Medical Supplies which directly addresses critical healthcare needs within the pediatric population. Health Minister said the medical supplies will play a pivotal role in enhancing the capacity of Fiji’s healthcare system to deliver quality care to vulnerable children, particularly those facing illnesses encompassed by the IMCI program. Minister Lalabalavu further stated that the medical supplies will be deployed judiciously and with the utmost care to benefit those in need across the nation.
6. In March 2021, India had supplied 100,000 Covid Vaccines to Fiji as a grant to help launch the National Vaccination Program. Between December 2021 and August 2023, three consignment of lifesaving Anti-Retroviral Drugs for HIV patients in Fiji were supplied to Fiji under the bilateral grant programme. At the Jaipur Foot Camp organized by the Government of India in Fiji during November – December 2022, 600 Fijians were provided the world famous customized prosthetic limb (Jaipur Foot) completely free of cost. In November – December 2023, 40 officials from the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services were also trained in top Indian institutions in the area of Tele-medicine and Psycho-social care in partnership with the USAID. The extensive assistance in health sector underlines India’s strong commitment to working together and supporting Fiji to help build a stronger, healthy and resilient nation.
gn: right;">29 April 2024
