Health ministry Te Marae Ora would like to acknowledge the United Nations Development Programme and Global Fund for their support in purchasing a vehicle for the ministry’s HIV/TB programme.
The Global Fund is an international organisation dedicated to funding treatment and care programmes for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
“We are very grateful and will definitely ensure the vehicle is used for programme implementation and movement, including other programmes as appropriate,” says Secretary of Health Dr Aumea Herman.
The vehicle will be used to progress health promotion/preventative programmes in the Cook Islands, especially STI/HIV initiatives.
In particular, the vehicle will be of most benefit to the ministry’s HIV/TB programme by allowing staff to carry out home visits with members of key vulnerable populations, such as those in the transgender community.
It will help enable testing for HIV and syphilis and assist in the delivery of prevention packages to improve target indicators and contact tracing, as well as increasing condom distribution within the community.
Te Marae Ora would also like to acknowledge the vendors who provided quotes for the proposed vehicle and offer their congratulations to Cook Islands Motor Centre Ltd as the favoured vendor.
The Motor Centre prepared the vehicle for handover and on October 22 it was delivered to Te Marae Ora Public Health Services, where it was well-received by the HIV/TB programme coordinator and staff.
As part and parcel of the UNDP’s vehicle policy, the UNDP logo will be affixed to both front doors of the vehicle, along with the Te Marae Ora logo.
The United Nations Development Programme is a global network that encourages sustainable development by providing expert advice, training, and grant support to more than 170 countries and territories around the world.
ENDS: Enquiries to Jaewynn McKay +682 55486
For up to date information visit www.health.gov.ck