Portugal delivers 60.000 PCR tests to Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe

By delivering approximately 60.000 PCR tests for COVID-19  and the corresponding extraction kits to Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe, Portugal joins in the support provided to these Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), towards reinforcing the diagnosis and tracking means to detect and treat infection cases.

Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau received the tests and extraction kits today, while the material for São Tomé e Príncipe will arrive tomorrow. Each one of these three countries will receive 20.000 batches of vaccines, donated by the national strategic reserve, managed by National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge.

Deliveries to those countries' national authorities will be carried out by the Portuguese diplomatic representations in Praia, Bissau, and São Tomé, respectively.

This action integrates the Portuguese commitment to fight against COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its impacts, and corresponds to the second phase of the "Action Plan regarding the Sanitary Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic" between Portugal and the PALOP and East Timor, promoted by the Portuguese Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministery of Health, and multiple national partners.

The Action Plan's second phase was presented on the 24th of February and aims to support the African Portuguese speaking countries and East Timor in the areas of testing, training, and qualification, as well as in the shipping of individual protection equipment and vaccination.