📋 Tender Overview
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala handed over European Union-funded oxygen plants to Cook Islands on 10 July and to Niue on 15 July 2024. Both countries will now have much-needed capacity to produce live-saving oxygen on island, which is important given their remoteness.
Oxygen is a life-saving essential medicine. Healthcare professionals use oxygen to treat respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and pneumonia. Oxygen is also essential for surgery and trauma care. Vulnerable groups like older people, pregnant women and newborns need access to oxygen therapy.
Both countries continue to demonstrate their commitment to the Healthy Islands Initiative. On the occasion of the Regional Director’s visit, Cook Islands launched their STEPS SURVEY Report 2022 on surveillance for noncommunicable disease risk factors, new dietary guidelines and physical activity guidelines, and their National Pandemic Preparedness Plan. Dr Piukala congratulated the Honourable Minister of Health Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown and her team at Te Marae Ora (TMO, Ministry of Health, Cook Islands) on the passage of the Public Health Act 2024 and the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2024, which bans e-cigarettes and signals a significant shift towards a modern, risk-based approach to public health.
In Niue, Dr Piukala attended events hosted by Minister of Social Services Honourable Sonya Talagi and the Hakupu Women’s Council that were free from alcohol and sugary drinks. Dr Piukala thanked his hosts for “these significant acts that demonstrate commitment to the health of their people”.
Honourable Mona Ainu’u, Acting Premier and Minister of Natural Resources of Niue, indicated that the draft regional vision’s analogy of the Pacific tradition of weaving pandanus mats as the way forward to working on health issues resonated with her. The Minister discussed at length with Dr Piukala the significance and impacts of gender and climate change on health – priorities that both she and Dr Piukala share.
“It gives us great privilege, pride and honour to have received Dr Piukala in Niue as the first Pacific Island national to take the helm as WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific,” said Honourable Minerva Ikimau-McCurdy, Director of Health, Niue. She further noted that Dr Piukala’s visit highlighted the heart of his work, vision, passion and dedication towards the health and prosperity of the Pacific people. “The handing over of the oxygen plant to Niue marks the beginning of this significant journey with the Government of Niue and her people, as we embark under the helm of Dr Piukala’s leadership,” she concluded.
