Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System - First medical equipment donated by Japan arrives in Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago, December 8, 2021- The Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System through the Provision of Medical Equipment, which is funded by the Government of Japan and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) with a total budget of USD 4.8 million, has made its first delivery of medical equipment to Trinidad & Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago is the second country to receive a delivery of medical equipment under this project, with the first delivery having been made to Guyana in October.

The project supports the Governments of Belize, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago through the procurement of critical medical equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Government of Japan is pleased to be able to support Trinidad & Tobago’s public health system through the provision of this equipment in collaboration with UNOPS, building on ongoing regional and global cooperation through such organizations as CARPHA and COVAX Facility, and welcomes this project as an opportunity to further strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation enjoyed between our two countries.” said Ambassador of Japan to Trinidad & Tobago Tatsuo Hirayama.

This first delivery of equipment to Trinidad and Tobago consists of 15 ultrasound scanning systems, which will be benefit 23.400 people in nine hospitals around the country:

(2) St James Medical Complex in Port of Spain

(2) Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in San Juan

(2) Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility in Couva

(2) Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-A-Pierre

(2) Area Hospital Point Fortin in Point Fortin

(2) Scarborough General Hospital in Signal Hill

(1) Sangre Grande Hospital in Sangre Grande

(1) Caura Hospital in El Dorado

(1) Point Fortin Hospital in Point Fortin

“The Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is thankful to the Government of Japan for funding this Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System, and to UNOPS for its meticulous management of this initiative. The fifteen portable ultrasound units we received were allocated to hospitals across both islands and we eagerly await the arrival of the other items which would enhance the capacity of our public hospitals to treat with COVID-19 patients in particular. We remain committed to working with UNOPS on this project and to collaborating with the Government of Japan on other important areas of mutual interest.” stated Honorable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago.

The remaining medical equipment, which will complete the donation to Trinidad & Tobago, such as Intensive care hospital beds, ICU patient monitors, Hospital Stretchers, Ventilator systems, Syringe Infusion Pumps, Volumetric Infusion Pumps and Electrical suction Pumps is expected to arrive in the country in coming months.  

“This project is managed by UNOPS in a comprehensive manner, safeguarding the procurement and delivery process while strictly adhering to the requirements of the health authorities of Trinidad & Tobago as well as of each of the beneficiary countries; hence ensuring the highest quality, transparency and performance of the economic resources provided by the Government of Japan, to leave no one behind, in full alignment with the principles of fair public management”, explained Mr. Alejandro Rossi, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for the English & Dutch Caribbean, Costa Rica and Panamá.

In the coming months, more than 40 different types of medical equipment will continue to arrive in four countries, according to the requests made by the health authorities of each country.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Ramirez

Communications Officer

UNOPS Costa Rica

sandrarr@unops.org

Isabela Fraiz

Partnerships Assistant

UNOPS Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

isabelaf@unops.org