MANILA - The Philippines on Monday received 4,400 computer tablets with wireless keyboards from the Australian government, donated through the World Health Organization (WHO), to help the country's Covid-19 information and management system.

Dr. Graham Perry Harrison, officer-in-charge of WHO in the Philippines, said the devices will be distributed to local government units in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas that are still confronting challenges in data sharing, supply chain management, and inventory monitoring.

"Modernizing the vaccine information system enables the government to make optimal use of resources and to deliver quality immunization services," Harrison said during the ceremonial handover of donations at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer, said the donations will help improve the national government's pandemic response efforts and data management system

"As our country's Covid-19 response efforts shift to healing and recovery from the effects of the health crisis, it is crucial that we are equipped with the latest technologies and tools that will enable us to closely monitor the implementation of our national vaccination program," Galvez said in his message.

He said the donated digital equipment will be given to data managers and encoders nationwide "so that they can keep tracking, manage, and report the up-to-date Covid-19 information".

The government is currently using the vaccine information management system provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

"As the Duterte administration nears the end of its term, it would like to leave behind a health system that is more responsive to the needs of its people, and more importantly, more sustainable and resilient in order to meet present and future health challenges," Galvez said.

Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson renewed his government's commitment to continue supporting the Philippines' vaccination drive.

"Australia is absolutely committed to working with the Philippine government, UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), World Health Organization, and other partners to tackle what we must regard as the last mile challenges in support of the successful country-wide Covid-19 immunization program," Robinson said at the event. (PNA)