30 Apr 2020

NZ and Australia send help to Bougainville for covid response

6:02 pm on 30 April 2020

New Zealand and Australia have sent four vehicles to Bougainville to help support its efforts to keep Covid-19 out of the region.

Arawa

Arawa Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The vehicles were handed over at a small ceremony yesterday and included three Landcruisers and a Hilux, to be used by the Department of Health.

There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, however PNG's capacity to test has been very limited.

The health secretary Clement Totavun said the vehicles would be invaluable in supporting Bougainville's emergency responses and preparedness plan.

The vehicles follow New Zealand and Australia funding of an upgrade of the Suhin Heath Centre facility on Buka, which has been designated as an isolation ward for Covid-19 patients.