China donates medical supplies [1]
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 - 17:16
Medical supplies from China were donated to the Ministry of Health on May 19, at Vaiola Hospital, to help Tonga prepare for CoViD-19. The Chinese Ambassador HE Cao Xiaolin handed the supplies over to the Minister of Health Hon Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu.
The supplies included 100 pieces of infrared thermometers, 500 units of diagnostic kits, 2700 pieces of medical disposable protective garments, 1000 pieces of medical isolation shoe covers, 2000 pieces of disposable sterilized rubber surgical gloves, 1000 pieces of medical disposable face shields, 1500 pieces of medical protective goggles, 74700 pieces of various face masks and 260 units of hand sanitizer gels. It is expected that other medical supplies from China will arrive in Tonga later.
The Ambassador said the supplies will help meet Tonga’s urgent quarantine needs, and assist the Tongan medical staff and the Tongan people fighting the pandemic.
He said China and Tonga had also cooperated in the battle against CoViD-19. China donated US$250,000 in cash to the China-Pacific Island Countries Joint CoViD-19 Response Fund.
"I had frequent in-depth discussions with Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Health, the CEO of Ministry of Health, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs as well as other Ministers and senior officials, on how to effectively prevent and control CoViD-19 given the current medical conditions in Tonga. Our support is sincere and from the bottom of our hearts."
“I have every reason to say that we will win this battle against the pandemic. Our cooperation will be much stronger, and our friendship will be much closer in the future,” he said.
The Health Minister said this support was important in this time of global shortages and it arrived at a critical time to assist Tonga’s preparedness for CoViD-19.
She also acknowledged the Chinese Government’s support through the Pacific Joint Fund for CoViD-19.