By Taurai Mazwi
Zimbabwe`s all weather friend, China through the Alibaba Foundation has availed medical supplies to assist in efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa announced yesterday during the 8th Cabinet Meeting Decisions Matrix yesterday.
“Cabinet also noted with appreciation the support which is being rendered by various partners and in particular the Alibaba Foundation which, through the African Union, has made a donation of a consignment of commodities to help strengthen and intensify surveillance, laboratory testing and case management of COVID-19 in our country.
“The consignment is scheduled to arrive at R.G. Mugabe International Airport today (yesterday) and includes the following commodities: 20 000 Laboratory Diagnostic Test kits; 100 000 medical face masks and 10 000 Protective suits and face shields,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
The country yesterday received its first batch of COVID-19 medical kits which were donated by Chinese billionaire, co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group Jack Ma. Mr Ma is a business magnate, investor and politician and he is a multinational technology conglomerate.
The medical supplies are part of Zimbabwe’s share of the 1.1 million testing kits, six million masks and 60 000 hazmat suits and face shields that Mr Ma pledged to donate to all African countries which they will equally share.
China has also funded the refurbishment and upgrading of Wilkins Hospital in Harare. China also has a medical team which is in the country assisting the health personnel with training on COVID-19.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week acknowledged assistance that has so far been extended to Zimbabwe by the Chinese and United Kingdom government.
President Mnangagwa said the national preparedness and response plan, with a budget of 26.4 million U.S. dollars, would enable the country to have an integrated and coordinated management strategy focusing on prevention of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe and mitigating the severity of its impact.
