NASSAU, BAHAMAS — During a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Health, officials of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Ministry of Health and Public Hospitals Authority received a donation of 1,020 COVID-19 tests in a continued response to the pandemic.
The test kits were secured via a grant from the Canadian government.
In 2020, PAHO/WHO received a grant of CDN$5 million to support countries in the region in their fight against COVID-19.
The Bahamas was a recipient of CDN$677,000, which was utilized for the procurement of supplies and technical resources. These efforts included:
- The development of an online Contact Tracing Course, which equipped participants with the knowledge to actively assist the COVID-19 task force;
- The procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE); and
- The donation of COVID-19 laboratory test kits.
Throughout the course of the pandemic, the PAHO/WHO Country Office has also donated equipment to nursing homes, governmental and non-governmental organizations to reduce of the risk of COVID-19 within vulnerable communities. Supplies and technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and other PAHO/WHO partners are ongoing.
Dr Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO country representative for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos islands, expressed gratitude to the Canadian government for supporting the response to combat the virus.
Minister of Health Minister Renward Wells also thanked the Canadian government and PAHO/WHO. He elaborated on the health and social impact of the donations on the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
PAHO/WHO continues to lead efforts in the region to support countries in preventing, detecting and responding to the pandemic.
