Namibia Windhoek health officials have received PPE consignments worth N$4.3 million from China.
The consignments donated include 150 000 surgical masks, 5 000 medical disposable protective clothing, 15 000 protective face masks for medical use, 7 000 medical protective goggles, 7 000 pairs of disposable sterilised rubber surgical gloves and 3 000 pairs of medical isolation shoe covers.
Upon receiving the donations, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula said Namibia COVID-19 cases had rose to unbearable numbers and the donations came at the right time when the country needed help the most.
The minister also stated that there was need for more isolation centres to manage positive cases and to quarantine identified contacts of confirmed cases. Much more equipment is needed to ensure those health workers, rapid response teams and those manning quarantine and isolation facilities are protected from potential exposure.
While speaking during the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said the assistance vividly exhibits the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Namibia.
“This assistance is part of the endeavours taken by China along with other countries all over the world to build a human health community,” Yiming said.
“Obtaining these supplies from the outside market has been very challenging due to travel bans and restrictions worldwide. The ministry procured a number of these items as per the Covid-19 procurement plan and has also received donations from local and international partners, government and individual entities,” Yiming further explained.
