Head of Press and Culture of the German Embassy Claudia Tietze and Public Health Administrator for WHO Sri Lanka Dr. Olivia Nieveras presenting the consignment of protective surgical masks to Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena.
Germany recently handed over a consignment of protective surgical masks to the Ministry of Health through the World Health Organisation Country Office for Sri Lanka (WHO Sri Lanka) to combat and control the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.
The consignment, which includes 924,000 surgical face masks was jointly handed over by Claudia Tietze, Head of Press and Culture of the German Embassy and Dr. Olivia Nieveras, Public Health Administrator for WHO Sri Lanka to Director General of Health Services Dr.Asela Gunawardena.
Dr. Gunawardena welcomed the substantial donation from Germany and expressed confidence that the masks will be efficiently distributed by the Medical Supplies Division to health workers to strengthen infection prevention and control in health facilities and to privde community services.
He thanked both Germany and WHO Sri Lanka for their steadfast commitment to supporting Sri Lanka through this pandemic. During the handover event, Mrs Tietze said that Germany is delighted to lend a helping hand to Sri Lanka and support its battle against COVID-19 and is hopeful that this timely contribution will reach its intended beneficiaries in the coming weeks with the kind support from WHO. She commended the frontline healthcare workers for their invaluable work during this critical and stressful time and noted that it is evermore crucial to take the necessary precautions and adhere to the health guidelines. Dr Olivia Nieveras thanked Germany for their generous support and reinforced the value of such products during this crucial time for Sri Lanka. She noted that wearing masks is one of the most powerful tools in preventing the spread of COVID-19, along with social distancing, hand hygiene and other social measures. With an all of society approach, Sri Lanka will be able to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect vulnerable groups and build back better.
