Additional Help For Nauru’s Health Services

Media Release

FA 4 - 14 January 2004

Additional Help For Nauru’s Health Services

I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide assistance to strengthen Nauru’s health services capacity to respond to medical contingencies at the Offshore Processing Centre (OPC).

This follows meetings this week in Nauru between a delegation of senior Australian officials and Nauru’s Acting President, Derog Gioura, and key government of Nauru officials including the director of Nauru’s health services Dr Kieren Keke.

The package of measures could include: supplementation of medical and nursing staff; provision of additional emergency services equipment and supplies; further support for the improvement of the hospital infrastructure, including additional ward capacity for emergency situations; and further training to enhance emergency care.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding Between Australia and Nauru for Cooperation in the Management of Asylum Seekers and related Issues, Australia is committed to provide assistance to improve Nauru’s health services, which benefits the local population, as well as Nauru’s capacity to provide medical services to the OPC residents when needed.

Australia values Nauru’s cooperation in the management of the residents of the Offshore Processing Centre. I welcome Nauru’s strong commitment to continue that cooperation.

Australia remains committed to working with Nauru to address its broader development challenges in a sustainable way.

ENDS

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