According to a statement on Tuesday, Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji, Dupito Simamora, stated that one of the purposes of Indonesia-Fiji collaboration, including in the health sector, is to achieve the 2030 SDGs at the global, regional, and national levels.
“As Fiji’s partner in development, Indonesia is committed to supporting Fiji’s priority developments, including in the health sector. This collaboration reflects the solidarity, friendship, and closer relations between our government and our people,” Simamora stated.
Medical equipment granted to Fiji comprises electric hospital beds, electric wheelchairs, examination tables, and medical trolleys.
The medical equipment had been sent to Fiji on May 19, 2024. A team from state-owned company IndoFarma also helped prepare the equipment and provide medical training to local health officers.
The ambassador affirmed that the grant reflected Indonesia’s support for Fiji in its post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
Meanwhile, Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, who represented the Fiji government to receive the grant, expressed his gratitude for Indonesia’s assistance.
“We have observed the kindness and continued support from the Indonesian government to the people of Fiji by providing the medical equipment grant that we urgently need to provide better health services for Fijians,” Lalabalavu stated.
He is sanguine that the grant will bolster public health and health services in Fiji and help the Fijian Health Ministry achieve its mission of physically healthy Fijians.
Apart from Simamora and Lalabalavu, the grant handover ceremony was attended by Alipate Vosaicake, Secretary General of the Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association (FIFA) officiated by Fiji President Wiliame Katonivere last March.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Embassy in Suva also organized several other activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia-Fiji relations, including a joint seminar with the Fiji National University on March 26 and a fun walk in Suva on June 15.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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