As part of ongoing efforts to improve medical supply distribution in the Northern Division, Prime Minister Honorable Sitiveni Rabuka today officially opened Warehouse Tolu at the Labasa Divisional Hospital.
Funded by the Government of the Republic of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation (JICA), at a total cost of $2.2 million, Warehouse Tolu was conceived in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The establishment of Warehouse Tolu reflects the continued support by the Japanese Government and its broader commitment to strengthening Fiji’s healthcare system.
“The warehouse will now serve as the ‘medicine hub’ of the Northern Division – a forefront of transitioning medical supplies across the three provinces,” said the PM in his official address.
The new warehouse will service the 65 healthcare facilities in the North, and these include 11healthcare facilities in the Bua province, 25 facilities in Macuata, 19 in Cakaudrove, and 10 in Taveuni.
“The 25m x 20m Warehouse is aligned to the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services building height standard and will play a critical role in the storage and distribution of medical supplies for outpatient service, Non-Communicable Diseases or NCD, HIV, TB, and Rheumatic Heart Disease amongst others,” added PM Rabuka.
“It will store medicines and consumables for family planning, laboratory reagents, dental items, and vaccines, as well as biomedical equipment and consumables for the Northern Division health facilities.”
In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister extended the Coalition Government and the people of Fiji’s gratitude to the Government and the people of Japan for their continued support in enhancing Fiji’s health sector.
“We look forward to further collaboration in advancing our fruitful partnership in the future.”
His Excellency, the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Rokuichiro Michi said that Japan will continue to collaborate with Fiji in areas of mutual interest.
He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to further strengthening its bilateral relations with Fiji.
Read the PM’s full speech on https://0fj.cc/1vZrydVc6K3
