As Sierra Leone continues to battle the coronavirus, the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday donated the eighth batch of medical supplies to the Coordinator of NaCOVERC, Brig. Rtd Kellie Conteh at the Economic Counsellor’s office, OAU Village. Making the donation Chinese Ambassador Hu Zhangliang said the new batch of medical supplies donated by the government of China to Sierra Leone is another sign of the cordial relationship existing between the two countries.
“This round of donation includes 20,016 testing kits, 4,000 KN95 respirators, 50,000 surgical masks, 1,000 PPEs, 2,000 disposable isolation gowns, 1,000 medical shoe covers, 100 forehead thermometer guns, 35 ventilators, 35 oxy-generators and related accessories. It is meant to further support Sierra Leone’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is one of the concrete actions in implementing relevant commitments made by President Xi Jinping at the Virtual Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19.”
He said this is the eighth round of donation to Sierra Leone and he is glad to know that these items have been essential in enhancing Sierra Leone’s capabilities of combating the pandemic. Talking about the Chinese medical staff rotation the Ambassador averred that the three Chinese Medical Expert Teams in Sierra Leone have been completed. The new teams are all geared up to provide support and many of them have already started their work passionately, he said.
“I believe that both the new batch of donation and the new expert teams will help consolidate what Sierra Leone has achieved in this fight. We are glad to see that under the strong leadership of President Maada Bio, the government and people have displayed a high degree of tenacity and resilience in the control of the pandemic and the strive for social and economic development, on which I wish to express sincere congratulations.”
He said as China is a reliable friend, they will continue to provide support within their capacity to Sierra Leone for Covid and socioeconomic development. Responding, the Minister of Defence who doubles as Coordinator of NaCOVERC said that the government is pleased to partner with China in improving public health in Sierra Leone and they are confident that the donated medical supplies and equipment will go a long way in helping to strengthen healthcare delivery for members of the military and the general public.
“It can be recalled in 2014 when Sierra Leone was ravaged by the dreadful Ebola virus scourge, the Chinese were the first foreign government to send consignments of assorted medical supplies and medical expert teams to contain that epidemic. And furthermore in March this year, when this country started recording cases of Covid-19, our Chinese friends horned in with significant donations of test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to NaCOVERC that has inevitably contributed to a successful fight against COVID-19.”
He said the country is cautiously opening and the cases have generally remained low and they are seeing positive signs of curtailing the outbreak. “I want to commend the persistent, collaborative effort by the two governments and this is a proof of what cooperation can do as we face an unprecedented global health threat for which no country has escaped this pandemic. Even though the Chinese are in a brutal fight against Covid-19 but their generosity has never stopped them from supporting their partner countries in their own battles with the virus. Now more than ever, it’s clear that only through partnership and cooperation we can ensure a healthy and prosperous future for all.”
He thanked the Chinese government and their army for their continued support to the 34 Military Hospital and its health programmes. The deputy Minister of Health Dr Jonathan Sandi said he has always been present when the Chinese Ambassador made donations to Sierra Leone and he is always filled with joy because of the passion that the Ambassador shows to Sierra Leone winning the battle.
He said despite all the challenges they are facing as well, they are still pushing for other countries not to relent but to kick the virus out. “I am very happy and I want to register my profound gratitude on behalf of my Minister who would have loved to be present that all what you have done and what you will do in the future will be always appreciated and we will continue to support you as you have been doing for us.”
