Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs received a donation of 10,000 capsules of oseltamivir phosphate, an anti-influenza medicine, from His Excellency Rodrigo do Amaral Souza, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil today (29th December, 2021).
Minister Browne expressed sincere appreciation for the donation, noting that it was an illustration of the growth in value of the fifty-six year old relationship between the two countries to include tangible exchanges in the health sector. In expressing his gratitude for this timely gift of antiviral pharmaceuticals, the Minister also stressed that even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary not to lose sight of the non-COVID related infections, especially those that can also lead to fatal outcomes.
Minister Browne also signalled the expectation of ongoing and additional benefits of cooperation and partnership as the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs continues to expand productive engagement with key partners in the international community.
Ambassador do Amaral Souza joined Minister Browne in signing the handover certificate. The Ambassador highlighted that this pharmaceutical donation was part of the Brazilian Health Diplomacy, which will be an ongoing initiative of the Government of Brazil. The donation follows training provided earlier this year to Trinidad and Tobago public sector professionals related to Brazil’s initiative on human milk banks and its breastfeeding programme.
