A radio programme supporting frontline healthcare workers will be soon be heard across the Pacific via local broadcasters.
Health Care on Air Pacific is the first regional training programme to give health workers the skills and confidence to protect themselves and to deliver the best quality services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Health Care on Air Pacific consists of 33 episodes and each about 30 minutes long and will be broadcast on radio and other communication platforms.
Health Care on Air Pacific launch in Fiji Photo: Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services
"The global spread of Covid-19 to countries and territories indicates that "a risk somewhere is a risk anywhere" and as a global village, the increasing incidence of the disease in some countries around the world is a threat to the entire Pacific, Fiji's Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, who launched the training this week.
The programme went to air first in Fiji on Friday, and in a few weeks, will air in the Cook Islands, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Tuvalu, Niue, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, the Republic of Marshall Islands and Tokelau.
"A trainer is working with health professionals throughout the Pacific to make sure the episodes are translated into the local languages," according to UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett.
"We can also get the material out on a USB stick but of course, most people will get it through radio. Radio really is the medium touches every corner of the Pacific, all 660 islands out there," Mr Yett said.
Health Care on Air Pacific launch in Fiji Photo: Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services
He said a majority of nurses and midwives in remote rural areas and outer islands can often miss out on regular trainings and updates.
This initiative brings together multiple partners, donors and skilled technical experts and will go a long way in sharing knowledge, learnings and building capacity across the region," New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Jonathan Curr said.
Fourteen Pacific governments, UNICEF and the Governments of the US, New Zealand and Japan are involved in the project.
UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett, spoke to Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor about Health Care on Air Pacific programme
L-R Fiji's Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett and New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Jonathan Curr Photo: Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services