Covid-19: ECOWAS receives medical supplies from UNDP
By Rahila Lassa, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has received a shipment of Covid-19 test kits and other medical supplies procured by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.
Valued at $14,154,756 million, the medical supplies include 549,600 test kits containing sample collection items and reagents to enhance capacities of front-line responders as well as 550,000 Qiagen extraction kits to increase testing capacity and early detection.
The supplies were handed over to ECOWAS in Abuja, Nigeria, by officials of the United Nations, UN, the West African Health Organisation, WAHO and the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant Secretary General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, said global partners must rally all efforts to strengthen the capacity of ECOWAS Member States to stem increased infections and treat cases.
“So that countries of the region can get back to work on defeating poverty and attaining the global Sustainable Development Goals,” she stated.
Receiving the items, Jean Kassi Brou, the President of the ECOWAS Commission Jean Kassi Brou commended the UNDP for its support to the Region.
“As we take delivery on this second batch of medical supplies, I would like to remind us of the role that solidarity, commitment and trust play in strengthening partnerships and ensuring no one is left behind. Therefore, I would like to commend the work and commitment of the UNDP leadership and staff for securing these much needed critical medical supplies and equipment,” he said.
Lauding the existing collaboration between the UNDP and the regional community, the Director General, West Africa Health Organisation, WAHO, Professor Stanley Okolo said the gesture was a laudable development.
“We welcome this fantastic support from UNDP, which will go a long way towards strengthening the region’s capacity to respond to the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. It is clear evidence, if any was needed, of UNDP’s commitment to supporting LMICs in dealing with the financial demands of procuring critically needed medical materials to fight the pandemic whilst at the same time, procuring vaccines in order to accelerate the reopening of our economies,” he added.
The medical items are meant to support the continued fight against the pandemic which continues to increase in West Africa, necessitating urgent essential medical supplies to strengthen national capacities to cope with increasing cases.
A first consignment of equipment had already been handed over to ECOWAS/WAHO in May 2020 and distributed to Member States in the region.
Confidence Okwuchi
