AUSMAT team including members from NZ arrive in Fiji

An Australian Medical Assistance Team which also includes members from New Zealand arrived into the country last night.

They will begin their 28 day assignment to support the COVID-19 response after staying in quarantine for ten days.

The team will work with the Ministry of Health and will provide immediate support for health system management and infection prevention control, as well as assessments of Fiji’s priority health needs.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the main priority of the Australian Medical Assistance Team will be on creating additional medical spaces that can offer non-COVID care to patients and strengthen their infection control protocols.

Doctor Fong they will assist with the provision of health care services, primarily in the Central Division.

He had also confirmed that the members of the deployment are all fully-vaccinated so they have amended the quarantine requirements to ten days to allow them to deploy quickly.

The New Zealand High Commission says Australia and New Zealand are honored to be able to deploy medical personnel to stand beside Fiji’s medical fraternity in these trying times just as Fiji has supported them in their times of need.

The High Commission says COVID-19 outbreak marks a difficult time in Fiji’s history and by working together, we will defeat the virus and Fijians will be able to enjoy a prosperous and secure future.