China boosts SA Covid-19 fight with crucial equipment

Health minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize has thanked the Chinese government and some of its private companies for donating personal protective equipment to health care practitioners in the country.

“We are therefore grateful for the donations. We are working with the private sector and looking at our requirements to fight [Covid-19].

“We just need to indicate the numbers in terms of tests. 2 415 positive cases.”

Mkhize said the department was seeing more testing from the private sector.

“We believe that this is the way South Africa will be able to deal with the pandemic by sending out teams to identify those who need to be tested.

“Once they are found they will be treated. Provincially, just to say a total number of tests is around 87 000.”

Some of the equipment included testing kits, shoe covers, surgical masks, as well as ventilators for health care workers who were helping to fight the virus.

Mkhize said it was important that more tests needed were done as cases of people who have tested positive for the virus has increased.

Gauteng had 909, Western Cape 643, Kwa-Zulu Natal 489, Eastern Cape 174, Free State 98 and Limpopo 24.

“We do want to indicate our appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for their assistance.”

Minister of international relations and co-operation Naledi Pandor said South Africa had long-standing diplomatic relations with China and that the donation would not only be a benefit to the country but the entire continent.

“These items will not only help our medical staff but also the support staff who provide assistance such as drivers, communications workers and a number at the forefront of combating this virus,” she said.

She said most of the medical supplies were currently being assembled in China to be collected by the SA government adding that it was estimated that the chartered flight with these supplies would arrive in South Africa in the coming week.

Pandor said the allegation of African nationals being mistreated in China was being addressed by the government.

Acting ambassador of China to South Africa Nan Li from China said the first batch of medical supplies arrived in SA just five days after the presidents of South Africa and China spoke.

“It fully demonstrates the partnership between China and SA,” he said.

“As we know since the outbreak of Covid-19, China has taken the most thorough measures to combat this pandemic,” he said.

“China fully shares the same feelings as our African friends. China has mobilised resources across the spectrum to provide support to South Africa and other African countries.”

Li said some of the medical supplies have been delivered and others would arrive in due time. He also said China would also share its anti-epidemic experiences with South Africa.

“The Chinese embassy has also donated supplies to the SA government. R3 million has also been donated to SA recently.]

China is ready to work with SA to step up epidemic prevention and control. We believe the spirit of ubuntu is giving us more power and strength.”

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