At the request of the Ministry of Health (MOH), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) procured a new, diesel-powered Land Cruiser Ambulance that was donated to Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
The donation was made possible through the utilization of Global Fund resources.
Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a financing institution that provides support to countries in their response to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. The Global Fund does not implement programs on the ground. The Republic of Palau, through its membership in the Pacific Islands Regional Multi-Country Coordinating Mechanism (PIRMCCM), is a recipient of such funds. Global Fund resources are currently administered by UNDP.
Vice President and the Minister of Justice Raynold B. Oilouch said that the donation came at an opportune time as it was in line with the National Leadership’s vision of “establishing minimum equipment and staffing for ambulances in the Republic.”
Oilouch went on to say that most of the firefighters have finished EMT Training and the final training session will be held in June of this year.
Oilouch added that he is pleased that by the end of the summer, MOJ will “satisf[y] the mandates of the law requiring that staff responding to emergencies must have sufficient training to be able to use ambulance equipment and address patients’ emergency medical needs” and that this donation will “go a long way in helping” to provide “adequate emergency medical services critical to the safety and well-being of the people of Palau.”
Minister of Health Dr. Emais Roberts also said that it is with “the continued support of regional/international/bi-lateral and donor partners” such as the Global Fund, foreign governments, and other UN agencies that we can see such investments that build capacity to meet the challenges of this modern world.
Minister Roberts also expressed appreciation, on behalf of the Republic, to such partners and donors and looks forward to future collaborations. (PR)