Bissau, 11 March 2021 – UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund with funding from the Italian Government, has handed over an assortment of equipment worth USD 45,000 (over XOF27M) as part of its efforts to strengthen the National Health System in Guinea-Bissau.

The handover ceremony took place at the premises of the Ministry of Public Health, in an act presided over by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Dionisio Cumbá, in the presence of UNFPA Representative, Athanase Nzokirishaka.

"This act is an exceptional testimony of UNFPA's commitment to support the Government of Guinea-Bissau in improving the National Health System." Dr. Dionisio Cumbá, Minister of Public Health.

He added that the Government of Guinea-Bissau is eternally grateful for this gesture and looks forward to a continued and fruitful partnership to strengthen the health system in the country.

This initiative is part of the "Improving Youth Health for Harnessing the Demographic Dividend" YE4DD Project, which aims to create an enabling environment to harness the demographic dividend, ensure youth access to quality health services for improved well-being, and build and strengthen a youth leadership framework and empower youth, delivering several materials and equipments to the Ministry of Public Health for the 15 health structures in the three health regions of the country (Bafatá, Gabú and SAB).

The UNFPA Representative in Guinea-Bissau, Athanase Nzokirishaka, stated that the handover ceremony is an illustration that all the services provided by the different partners are geared towards to increase the supply of health care, with special attention to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights with the preparation of the main documents of national policy, training of human resources, availability of products and equipment in this area.

“By providing an integrated sexual and reproductive health package that includes prevention and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs) for adolescents, youth and women and girls can help scale up our collective response” said Dr. Athanase Nzokirishaka.

“So can strengthening access to comprehensive sexuality education, which provides adolescents and youth with the knowledge needed to protect their health and build a foundation for wellbeing that extends to their families and communities.” Dr. Athanase Nzokirishaka added.

The batch of materials and equipment includes 15 Plasma televisions, 15 Metal desks, 15 Executive chairs, 30 ISO fixed armless chairs, 300 plastic chairs, 950 uniforms for health technicians, and 3900 protective masks, which will be distributed to 5 health centers in each of the three region covered by the project.