Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong handed over 4.5 tonnes of medical equipment to Samoa’s Ministry of Health on Thursday, after arriving in the country on Wednesday night.

The Australian Minister, who flew into Samoa late Wednesday for a one-day visit, handed over the medical equipment on Thursday morning to Samoa’s Minister for Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele.

Accepting the donated medical equipment, Valasi acknowledged Australia’s ongoing support to the country’s health sector.

“As part of our programme today and as witnessed within this pharmaceutical warehouse, I am pleased to make known one such example of Australia’s support and that is the generous donation of personal protective equipment and medical equipment that just arrived over several [transit] since 19 April 2022,” he said in his speech.

“As part of our programme today, and as witnessed within this Pharmaceutical Warehouse, I am pleased to make known, one such example of Australia’s support and that is the generous donation of personal protective equipment and medical equipment that just arrived over several [transit] since 19 April 2022.”

Valasi said the health equipment donated by the Government of Australia included personal protective equipment and medical oxygen equipment.

Ms Wong said Australia is pleased to be working in partnership with Samoa and indicated that the assistance is part of the new Australia-Samoa partnership called the ‘Tautua – Human Development for All’.

“Both by sharing vaccines, testing equipment including rapid antigen tests, oxygen-concentrators, personal protective equipment and other medical consumables,” she said. 

“I am very pleased that we’re handing over an additional 4.5 tonnes of medical supplies to support the treatment of Samoans with severe COVID and remain in hospital here at Apia as well as district hospitals.” 

According to the Australian Minister, the “Tautua – Human Development for All” is a eight-year partnership programme between the two countries to address complex human development and social inclusion challenges that both countries face.  

A joint statement issued by the Australian and Samoa Governments late Thursday stated that the eight-year partnership “will seek to foster collective action in health, education, gender, disability and social protection, addressing areas most critical to Samoa”.

The two Governments also reached consensus on Samoa’s maritime security following bilateral discussions on Thursday, with Ms Wong announcing during a press conference that Australia will build on a 30-year partnership and offer a new Guardian Class Patrol Boat to Samoa.

“Building on a 30-year partnership in maritime security, Australia was also pleased to strengthen its support for Samoa’s management of its precious oceans through the provision of a new Guardian Class Patrol Boat,” reads the joint statement. 

“The new vessel will be delivered within the next 12 months. In support of the regional Boe Declaration, this will help Samoa to respond to increasingly complex threats in the region, including transnational crime and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.”

Minister Wong also met with representatives of Samoa’s Cabinet and private sector and community leaders to hear Samoa’s aspirations for its future and ways that it can work together with Samoa to ensure “our Blue Pacific remains strong and prosperous”. 

She listened to the challenges and successes for Samoan families under Australia’s labour mobility programs and undertook to ensure settings continue to be of mutual benefit to Samoa and Australia.

Minister Wong said she hoped this visit would be the first of many during her time as Foreign Minister. 

Prime Minister Fiame wished her well in her new role, and looked forward to working closely together as members of the Pacific family.