Last week the Chinese Embassy donated Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Nyangabwe Referral Hospital (NRH) medical staff worth over P300 000.
The donation which comprised of 6 000 N95 Face Masks, 10 000 surgical masks, 2 000 isolation clothes, 240 protective clothing and 960 face shields was handed through the Chinese Medical Team.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Kobamelo Motshidisi who is the Clinical Manager at NRH expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its charity gesture. He said the donation will go a long way in helping the government of Botswana particularly NRH in fighting the pandemic.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Chinese government for its effort in helping the government of Botswana in fighting the pandemic. This is a sign of true friendship between the two governments,” he said.
Handing the donations Leader of the 16th China Medical Team, Dr Wu Chai Hui said it is important to note that the whole world has been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic and Botswana is not an exception.
“As a highly contagious respiratory disease, Covid-19 can spread quickly if we do not take preventative measures such as getting vaccinated, wearing masks properly, washing hands regularly and social distancing,” he said.
Dr Hui said as front line workers, the medical staff cannot avoid getting in contact with covid-19 patients therefore it is very important that they have enough protective clothing.
He also emphasized that it is important for the health workers to take more preventative measures including taking booster jabs and thorough precautions at all times. He also added that the sad reality is economies across the world were heavily affected by the pandemic including Botswana.
“Covid-19 is a huge challenge to every country and individual. Shortage of PPE’s hinders containment of Covid-19 pandemic. The government of China has seen it fit to assist Nyangabwe Referral Hospital with these donations,” he said.
Dr Hui said while the donation cannot completely bring the pandemic to an end, it will help address the shortage of personal protective equipment at Nyangabwe Referral Hospital. He explained that the PPE will help protect the medical staff from getting infected or infecting patients which is instrumental in controlling the pandemic.
He concluded by saying that the donation symbolizes the long standing bilateral relationship that exists between Botswana and the Chinese government.
