Australia has delivered more personal protective equipment, or PPE, to Papua New Guinea for its response to Covid-19.
Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to PNG Caitlin Wilson and PNG's Health Minister Jelta Wong. Photo: Australian High Commission to PNG
The newspaper, the National, reported the PPE included masks, goggles, protective clothing and gloves, to be distributed by the Health Department.
Australia's High Commission said the delivery was part of its commitment to provide PNG with up to two million pieces of PPE for health workers.
It said Prime Minister James Marape requested the PPE and that 750 kilogrammes of it was previously delivered.
PNG has eight confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Australia reportedly re-priortised about $US20 million from existing commitments to support PNG's coronavirus response.
The UN said in April it had distributed a batch of PPE across PNG and a further 600,000 units were on the way.
Last week, 50,000 KN95 facial masks and 20,000 protective masks arrived in Fiji for distribution to Pacific countries by the Pacific Islands Forum. 45 percent of the masks were destined for PNG.
PNG's Education Department recently announced that all staff and students would be required to wear Health Department approved masks at school when classes resume next week.
