#BTFocus – Boost for Barbados in COVID-19 fight . . . China donates thousands more PPE supplies

The Chinese government has donated yet another batch of Personal Protective Equipment to help Barbados fight COVID-19.

Today, Chinese Ambassador Yan Xiusheng, handed over 5, 000 N95 Respirators and 40, 000 Surgical Face Masks, which is one of the outcomes of the special virtual meeting of China and Caribbean Countries Having Diplomatic Relations With China on COVID-19.

“Today’s donation is the seventh batch of the medical supplies that China provides to Barbados since the outbreak of COVID-19. In total, China has donated 97, 000 surgical masks, 20, 000 N95 Respirators, 8, 450 surgical gloves, 5, 030 medical goggles, 5 000 medical gowns, 3, 000 swabs, 1, 536 test kits, 250 Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers and three ventilators.

“And these are from different donors in China, including the central government, the local government of Human Province, the companies like Alibaba and China Complant. And China Complant is also the main contractor of Sam Lords Castle Hotel project in St Philip, of Barbados,” Xiusheng said during the presentation which took place at the Ministry of Health’s Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St Michael.

In addition, the Ambassador announced that with the coordination of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Embassy also invited top Chinese front line medical experts from Chongquing Municipality, where the Chinese medical team in Barbados comes from, to share their know-how and experience with their Barbadian peers. It’s hoped this could enhance Barbados’ capacity to cope with the epidemic.

“China and Barbados are enjoying a long-standing friendship, and the solidarity and cooperation to combat the current epidemic bring us even closer, just as H.E., Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China and the Hon Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley wrote each other early this year, emphasizing the solidarity and determination of our two countries to fight together against the virus.

“On July 23, foreign ministers of China and Latin America and Caribbean countries held a special video conference on COVID-19, co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Mexican Foreign Secretary. Senator Dr Jerome Walcott, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, also attended this meeting,” he said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Janet Philips thanked the Ambassador for the generous donation which she said would be put to good use in helping Barbados tackle the ongoing pandemic. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb