Cabinet thank PACMAT team from New Zealand for their expertise and contribution during Niue’s first case of Covid in MIQ
Posimani seated far right and Mose seated far left
Premier Dalton Tagelagi says that Cabinet is very pleased with the work of the team from the Pacific Medical Association Medical Assistance from New Zealand. The team met Cabinet on Thursday last week where they presented more supplies of personal protective equipment PPEs and RAT tests kits.
Led by Dr. Cloe Posimani and Renee Mose, the team was on the island for four weeks and departed this afternoon. Cloe Posimani is from Tuapa and told BCN news that this work visit is her fourth visit to the island.
They were here when the first case of Covid-19 was detected in MIQ two weeks ago and provided support to the local medical staff.
Two weeks ago, the Director of Health and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Edgar Akau’ola said “Niue was very fortunate to have a team of five health officials from PACMAT from NZ. PACMAT is a multi-disciplinary team of Pacific medical and health professionals who can assist medical institutions and respond to sudden-onset disasters and emergencies, including disease outbreaks in the Pacific region.
Director-General of Health and Social Services Gaylene Tasmania told BCN news that the team also included nurses who worked in MIQ facilities in New Zealand and were able to provide valuable upskill training and reassurance to the health staff and frontline workers.
Mrs Tasmania explained that the PACMAT team was here because of the combined efforts of officials here in Niue and their network of Advisors in New Zealand like Dr. Colin Tukuitonga.
“The team is on Niue assisting our Health Department and officials with COVID response. PACMAT focuses on providing additional human resources (a surge workforce) to support local health systems in the event of sudden-onset disasters or disease outbreaks. We are very fortunate to have the team on Island at this critical time as we work to contain and prevent any further transmission of the virus,” says Dr Edgar Akau’ola.
The team was also on the ground providing training during the first trial of the Covid testing station set up over three days at the Niuefoou hospital.
