News

Fiji now better prepared with new lab equipment

December 16, 2014 3:39 am

Fiji will now be able to efficiently test specimens for dengue fever, pneumococcal and typhoid fever, following the donation of biomedical and lab equipment from the Australian Government.

The equipment donated includes media preparatory, bacteria alert chamber and six incubators.

Australian High Commissioner Margaret Twomey says with this equipment now in place, Fiji will be better prepared.

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The Australian government also handed over a $280,000 refurbished laboratory.

CWM Superintendent Jemesa Tudravu says the donated equipment are a timely boost.

“We are very grateful that we have partners like Australian Aid to identify these areas and improve it for us and help us in the way we deliver and provide service to the public.”

Meanwhile, the incubators or baby warmers would ensure that premature and low birth weight babies are given a fighting chance from Day One.

According to a medical journal 20 million low-birth weight and premature babies are born around the world every year. Out of these, about 4 million die within four weeks.