BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau - As part of the United Nations' response to support Guinea-Bissau’s efforts to contain and mitigate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Guinea-Bissau, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), today delivered critical medical supplies and sanitary items to the Operational Center for Health Emergencies, intended for 11 health regions of the country.

The batch of reproductive health protection materials consists of gloves to ensure continuity of essential services in the context of COVID-19 for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers; HIV test kits to ensure continuity of Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and 2 tents to support the reception and social isolation of pregnant girls and women and breastfeeding mothers, in particular providing appropriate care to patients infected with COVID-19.

The delivery took place at the premises of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and was chaired by the President of the Operational Center for Health Emergencies, Dionisio Cumba, in the presence of UN Resident Coordinator in Guinea-Bissau, Mamadou Diallo, UNFPA Representative, Cheikh Fall and WHO Representative, Jean Marie KIPELA.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working to prioritize the particular needs of women and girls, in line with the goals to end unmet need for reproductive planning and contraception, end preventable maternal deaths and end gender violence and harmful practices against women and girls by 2030.