Addressing key health issues in the Pacific region remains a priority for Pacific health leaders, regional health organisations and donor agencies. The Pacific Community (SPC) welcomes a funding of $15.9 million from the Australian Government as it reinforces supporting ongoing efforts in the region.
The Honourable Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific said, "This new package reflects our commitment to the health of our family and neighbours across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Recognising the importance of working in partnership with governments and local civil society organisations, we are committed to addressing high-priority health issues in our region."
The Australian Government also remains committed to working on cross-cutting priorities, including One Health, climate change, research, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and training support in the region.
Honourable Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, said, “The Albanese Government is responding to Pacific priorities and working with partners to improve immunisation coverage across our region, helping communities better anticipate, prevent, detect, and control communicable diseases and protect the most vulnerable."
With the current and incoming additional funding received from the Australian Government, SPC will continue to progress the work in the region to support health priorities across areas such as improved multisectoral response to non-communicable diseases, strengthened capacity for health security surveillance, preparedness and management and response, strengthened clinical and nursing services, climate change and health, GESI, and strengthened coordination and leadership on health through convening and providing secretariat and technical support to the Pacific regional health governance and architecture.
SPC’s Director General, Dr Stuart Minchin, said, “SPC has a long-standing partnership with the Australian Government, and we share the same vision of advocating a holistic approach to health that is complimented with robust health services for a healthy Pacific that contributes towards achieving sustainable development goals. We acknowledge and welcome this funding support and remain committed to serving the Pacific region and tackling priority health issues in collaboration with our regional partners, stakeholders and donors”.
SPC remains committed to nurturing long-standing partnerships with health ministries and implementing partners to ensure the ongoing health and well-being of Pacific c
