UNICEF donates 2.5 million USD medical equipment to Kurdistan’s Health Ministry
Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Region Government Saman Barzangy, the UNICEF Representative in Iraq Sheema Sen Gupta and other officials. Photo: UNICEF
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – UNICEF handed over personal protective equipment (PPE) worth 2.5 million USD to Kurdistan’s Ministry of Health on Monday, according to a press statement issued by the UNICEF.
The donation took place during a ceremony held in the presence of the Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Region Government, Saman Barzangy, and the UNICEF Representative in Iraq, Sheema Sen Gupta.
The supplies include coveralls, face shields and goggles for use in the Kurdistan Region response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement mentioned.
This donation adds to PPE previously supplied this year, worth 1.23 million USD, to support safe practices during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in all governorates, the statement explained.
“I would like to highlight UNICEF’s support in the previous years, including immunization programs, maternal and infant care, and nutrition programs, as well as COVID-19 response. These PPE requirements will enhance the Ministry of Health of the KRI’s ability to respond to the current outbreak of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases,” Barzangy said.
The PPE supplies are part of UNICEF’s broader support for the pandemic response, and for routine immunization efforts in Iraq, the statement elaborated.
These efforts are funded by donors including Germany, the United States and the European Union, and includes outreach immunization that has contributed to around 20 percent of the total COVID-19 vaccination nationwide, the statement clarified.
To boost up immunization efforts, by the end of the year, UNICEF and WHO will be supporting a multi-Antigen Campaign for 10 working days. 1,053 teams will be deployed to deliver more than one million doses to children in remote and inaccessible communities, the statement added.