Argentine Ambassador to Barbados, Gustavo Martinez Pandiani (right), on behalf of the Argentine Republic, donates 10,000 COVID-19 test kits to the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory Director Songee Beckles (left) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary, Gillian Applewhaite (centre). (C.Pitt/BGIS)
The Ministry of Health and Wellness today received a donation of 10,000 test kits from the Government of the Argentine Republic.
Argentine Ambassador to Barbados, Gustavo Martinez Pandiani, and Director of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory, Songee Beckles, received the 120 kilograms of cargo at Terminal 2 of the Grantley Adams International Airport.
Ambassador Pandiani stated: “I am thrilled to finally receive the donation from the Government of Argentina to Barbados because this virus can be very strong but the friendship between our two countries is even stronger. Since Barbados is reopening the island to tourism, these tests will be very useful in the recovery of its economy.”
Ms. Beckles expressed the appreciation of the Ministry for the donation, which she said would greatly assist the public health laboratory in responding to the demand for testing in Barbados. She agreed with Ambassador Pandiani that as the country continued to expand the reopening of its borders, testing kits will be vital in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
