MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide an additional $10 million in assistance to Indonesia to help combat the threat of Avian Influenza in our region, bringing Australia's total assistance package to Indonesia on Avian Influenza to $15.5 million.
This funding will help Indonesia improve its response to a potential outbreak in key areas such as detection, diagnosis and containment of the virus, public awareness-raising and information-sharing.
This new package of assistance is a result of recommendations from the report of the high-level Australian Avian Influenza team led by AusAID's Director-General that travelled to Indonesia last week.
The expert team identified the need for immediate Australian support for:
- Establishing six outbreak investigation teams, as part of an early warning system for detecting and responding to outbreaks, in partnership with the World Health Organisation and the Indonesian Ministries of Health and Agriculture
- Training for field epidemiologists and hospital workers, and the provision of equipment such as gloves and masks at Indonesia's 44 Avian Influenza referral hospitals
- Upgrading Indonesia's human and animal health laboratory facilities in provincial centres including training for laboratory technicians and the supply of equipment such fluorescent microscopes
- Funds and technical advice to launch a nationwide community education program
- Building stronger links between the Indonesian and Australian Agriculture and Health Ministries.
Other areas of longer-term Australian assistance were also identified by the expert team including tertiary scholarships in veterinary and medical epidemiology and specialised short-course training. All of these initiatives will support Indonesian authorities as they monitor the transmission of the virus and prepare to respond rapidly to any identified outbreak.
The new assistance package adds to the $5.55 million previously pledged to Indonesia for Avian Influenza, including 50,000 courses of the anti-viral medication Tamiflu.
This assistance demonstrates the Australian Government's commitment to supporting the Indonesian Government in its efforts to combat Avian Influenza, and the active leadership role we are taking in responding to this threat in the region.
These measures will both complement and strengthen existing Australian Government assistance to the region. Total Australian assistance to the region for Avian Influenza and other zoonotic diseases now stands at over $30 million.
See Inter-Agency Report [PDF file 60KB]
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's Office) 0419 206 890
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590