100 pieces of medical equipment donated by Japan delivered to Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago, January 25th, 2022- Within the framework of the Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System through the Provision of Medical Equipment, public hospitals of Trinidad and Tobago have received in the last two months a total of 100 pieces of medical equipment for the care of patients affected by COVID-19.

The donation from the Government of Japan, managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has consisted of 40 infusion pumps, 15 ICU patient monitors, 15 portable Ultrasound Scanning Systems, 15 hospital stretchers and 15 electric Intensive Care Hospital Beds.

To commemorate the progress of this Project, the Honorable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Tatsuo Hirayama, the Ambassador of Japan in Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Erica Wheeler, PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Representative and Mr. Alejandro Rossi, the Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for Costa Rica, Panama and the English & Dutch Speaking Caribbean, held a handover ceremony were they committed to continue working for the health of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

At the Handover Ceremony Minister Deyalsingh stated, “On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and more specifically the Ministry of Health, I am extremely pleased to receive this lifesaving equipment from the Government and people of Japan, facilitated through UNOPS. This medical equipment will go a long way in providing significant support to Doctors, Nurses and patients in our COVID-19 Intensive Care and High Dependency Units.”

The Government of Japan contributes USD 4.6 million towards this Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System in Belize, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago, an agreement signed in March of 2021.

“The Government of Japan is pleased to support Trinidad & Tobago’s public health system through the provision of this equipment in collaboration with UNOPS. Japan hopes to continue strengthening relations of friendship and goodwill with Trinidad and Tobago and contributing to the global response against the coronavirus pandemic. It is in the mutual interest of our countries to continue collaborating closely to face the enormous health, economic and social challenge that COVID-19 has posed for humanity.” said His Excellency Ambassador of Japan in Trinidad & Tobago, Tatsuo Hirayama.

Six months after the signing of our agreement, Trinidad & Tobago has received almost 45% of the equipment covered by this Project. The remaining medical equipment, which will complete the donation to Trinidad & Tobago, includes Syringe Infusion Pumps, Volumetric Infusion Pumps and Electrical suction Pumps and are expected to arrive in the Caribbean country in upcoming months. 

“It is an honor for UNOPS, as a member of the United Nations System, to work alongside the Health authorities of Trinidad & Tobago and the Government of Japan to respond  effectively  to the pandemic strengthening the national health systems in order to support the citizens of this country; all while committing to fair public management and contributing to the Agenda 2030” explained Mr. Alejandro Rossi, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for the English & Dutch Caribbean, Costa Rica and Panamá.

The donated equipment will benefit patients in hospitals across all five Regional Health Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago. Some of the beneficiary hospitals are:

• St James Medical Complex in Port of Spain
• Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in San Juan
• Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility in Couva
• Augustus Long Hospital in Pointe-A-Pierre
• Area Hospital Point Fortin in Point Fortin
• Scarborough General Hospital in Signal Hill
• Sangre Grande Hospital in Sangre Grande
• Caura Hospital in El Dorado
• Point Fortin Hospital in Point Fortin

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 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.

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