UNICEF donates a new batch of personal protective equipment for COVID-19 response
Valued at $340,000 USD, the donation of personal protective equipment includes over 260,000 disposable surgical masks and some 209,000 high quality heavy duty over boot covers
Skopje, 26 November 2021 - UNICEF delivered a new supply of personal protective equipment valued at $340,000 USD which are being donated for health care, education, and protection institutions in North Macedonia. The donation comes from UNICEF's global supply and logistics headquarters.
“We need to continue focusing on protection of frontline workers, as they have been taking care of all of us – fully dedicating their time and energy to saving lives, keeping us healthy, keeping our children in school and our society functioning. They deserve our full support and endless gratitude. On this occasion I would like to thank all our partners, such as UNICEF, that have been essential in providing this additional support and look forward to our continued collaboration,” said Dr. Venko Filipche, Minister of Health.
Valued at $340,000 USD, the donation of personal protective equipment includes over 260,000 disposable surgical masks and some 209,000 high quality heavy duty over boot covers. The donation to the Ministry of Health will primarily be used to supplement supplies available for health care institutions throughout the country. Part of the donation will also be available to education and child protection institutions.
“We have been living with the coronavirus pandemic for over 18 months and we have learned that COVID-19 is more than a health crisis; it is an information crisis and it is an equity crisis that has brought about socio-economic consequence for families and children,” said Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Representative. “Maintaining access to vital services in health, education and child protection must continue to be priority to reduce the risk of the pandemic having a lifelong impact on the lives of children. This donation is designed to supplement existing supplies so that frontline workers are able to continue to provide the best quality of care to families and children.”
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Health in the COVID-19 response with the aim to reduce the impact on children and families. In addition to supporting health system strengthening as part of the regular cooperation with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has donated ventilators for health facilities valued at over $215,000 USD and additional supplies of personal protective equipment and SARS-CoV-2 testing kits. We have supported the establishment of tele-health counselling services for home visiting nurses and a helpline for pregnant women and mothers with new-borns; distributed hygiene packs to the most vulnerable communities; development of risk communication strategy and materials; supporting psychosocial support for children and families, working to improve immunization.
Through our joint partnership with the Ministry of Health, among other things UNICEF will continue to support efforts to ensure families are getting trusted information they need on COVID vaccines, so they have the best protection; address the mental health and well-being of the health workforce so that they can continue to maintain vital services and support to families and further improve water sanitation and hygiene and infection prevention and improve infection control capacities in the country – especially in schools so that they continue to remain safe and open.
UNICEF has seventy five years of experience in responding to crisis situations and providing the necessary assistance when it is most needed, with a global network of more than 1,000 medical suppliers, the biggest humanitarian warehouse in the world, strong global and local partnerships and supporters.