OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER
PN…G COVID-19 National Pandemic Response
Joint Agency Task Force
Media Statement
Tuesday 23rd March 2021
Eight thousand COVID-19 vaccines arrived today at the Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby from Australia as part of its assistance to PNG to combat and fight the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Prime Minister James Marape was at the airport and thanked the Australian Government for its continued support to PNG.
Prime Minister Marape witnessed the arrival of the vaccines with the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea His Excellency John Philips, Health and HIV AIDS Minister Jelta Wong, Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon, and the Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response and Police Commissioner Mr David Manning as well as Secretary for Health Dr Osbourne Liko.
Mr Marape said Australia has pledged to support PNG with another million vaccines. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners are also securing almost 700,000 vaccines for PNG in the next two to three months.
“These vaccines are not compulsory for all citizens but would be available for those who feel that they need to protect themselves against covid-19. Our health workers in the first instance would be given a preference before our rest of us,” Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said he is willing to be the first person to be vaccinated to show that it is safe for anyone to take.
(Pictures & captions below:)
Prime Minister James Marape is addressing the media at the Jackson Airport upon arrival of 8,000 COVID-19 vaccines. From left to right are: Health Secretary Dr Osbourne Liko, Controller David Manning, Health and HIV AIDS Minister Jelta Wong, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Honourable John Simon, and the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea His Excellency John Philips.
Prime Minister James Marape is addressing the media at the Jackson Airport upon arrival of 8,000 COVID-19 vaccines. From left to right are: Health Secretary Dr Osbourne Liko, Controller David Manning, Health and HIV AIDS Minister Jelta Wong, Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon, the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea His Excellency John Philips, and Deputy NCD Governor Dadi Toka Jnr.
Prime Minister Marape is addressing the media at the Jackson Airport upon arrival of the 8,000 COVID-19 vaccines. From right is NCD Deputy Governor Dadi Toka Jnr, is the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea His Excellency John Philips, whilst Controller of the National Pandemic Response and Police Commissioner David Manning, Health and HIV AIDS Minister Jelta Wong, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Honourable John Simon, and and Deputy looks on. See More