There has been an increase in consignment of medical supplies that has come through Suva and Lautoka Ports.

As the country safely contains the pandemic, shipping vessels continue to carry medical supplies to Fiji.

In his statement at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said: “When the first waves of fear and uncertainty hit us, masks, ventilators, testing kits, and PPEs were siphoned off by nations with the markets and the means to pay for large-scale shipments.”

“Fiji, and many other SIDS, spent critical months at the back of the queue for these life-saving essentials.”

“As supply chains stabilised, medical equipment and supplies eventually found their way everywhere they were needed.”

“But the advent of life-saving vaccines re-ignited the same strains of nationalism,” he said.

FPTL head of corporate services Salesh Kumar said the delivery of medical supplies from vessels are effectively and efficiently managed in collaboration with Ministry of Health & Medical Services and respective shipping agents.

“The offloading of the medical supplies from vessels and its delivery to the consignees were preplanned in collaboration with respective stakeholders.”

“FPTL ensured that vessels carrying urgent medical supplies were given priority berthing, off-loading and delivery of the consignment out of port,” he said.

Mr Kumar said most medical supplies transit through Suva and Lautoka ports as shipping vessels frequent its service to Fiji.

He said the whole operations, from vessel berthing, off-loading and delivery of the medical supplies consignment are preplanned.

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