On 4 July 2020, the Ambassador of the European Union, Head of Delegation Sónia Neto, together with the High Commissioner for the Fight against COVID-19, Dr. Magda Robalo, were present at the arrival in Bissau of a flight with two batches of medical equipment and materials, intended for initiatives financed by the European Union:

• The Project to Support the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Guinea-Bissau's Reference Structures (PAR COVID), and
• The Integrated Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PIMI II).

The PAR COVID, implemented by the Instituto Marquês de Valle Flor (IMVF) for an amount of EUR 230,000, aims to improve the capacity of health services in the reference institutions designated for the response to the Pandemic of COVID-19. The project is focused on the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of respiratory problems associated with interstitial pneumonitis, one of the most relevant causes of mortality by COVID-19. Among others, the batch contains pulse oximeters, gasometry devices, reagents and syringes, masks, hemodynamic monitors, non-invasive ventilators and their accessories for monitoring critical patients.This material is one part of the European Union's response to the Health Emergency Operations Centre's (COES) call for implementation of its contingency plan and crisis management support, with an extra EUR 1.3 million contribution made available through the World Health Organisation (WHO).PIMI II, implemented by IMVF, with co-financing from Instituto Camões, IP, and in partnerships with UNICEF and EMI aims to strengthen Maternal and Child Health services in Guinea-Bissau, which also need dire attention during this pandemic period. This initiative, running since 2013, will also receive new medical equipment and materials that will enable the project's team of over 40 trainers to maintain the capacity building activities of Guinean health technicians.The event was followed by a press conference (TV, radio and written press) in which the Ambassador of the European Union and the High Commissioner reiterated their firm commitment to fighting together the pandemic and continuing the excellent collaboration in developing the national health system.