The Tribune

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said that the latest donation of medical equipment from the People’s Republic of China will go a long way in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He made the statement during the signing ceremony of a handover certificate transferring medical equipment to the Ministry of Health on Friday at the ministry on Meeting Street.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and China’s Ambassador to The Bahamas Dai Qingli, among other officials were in attendance.

The donation is the seventh batch of medical supplies and equipment offered by the Chinese government to The Bahamas since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Included are 10 high flow oxygen machines, 30 patient monitors, and 10 portable ventilators to assist patients with respiratory and other COVID-19 related issues.

“You come at a time when we were assessing the weaknesses that have emerged from this global disease,” Dr Darville told the Chinese ambassador. “COVID-19 has revealed shortages in manpower, weakness in our health infrastructure and worsening health of our citizens because of deferred care. COVID-19 has brought the need for further resources.”

Dr Darville said that The Bahamas is thankful to China, which is also fighting challenges brought on by the COVID19 pandemic.

Dr Darville also told the ambassador that it is a goal of the ministry to have 200,000 Bahamians and residents vaccinated by the end of the year. Officials said 133,081 people have been fully vaccinated as of October 31.

Ambassador Dai Qingli underscored the importance of relations between both countries.

“Let me underscore how much we hope to work for new progress of China-Bahamas relations,” she said. “We live in an interconnected world, a community with a shared future for humanity.

“This virus is our common enemy. China has been providing assistance in vaccines and medical supplies to more than 100 countries. As a responsible global citizen, we will certainly do more to help our fellow human beings.”