Donation of surgical masks by Embassy of China to clinics welcomed
South Africa, like much of the rest of the world, is now in the second wave of the COVID-19 virus, and the need for people to adhere to safety regulations has become critical.
On Wednesday, 9 December, South Africa reported 6 709 new cases, taking the total of cases reported to 828 598. COVID-related deaths have reached 22 574, a daily increase of 142, while recoveries have climbed to 754 658, leaving the country with a balance of 51 366 active cases.
To help with the fight against COVID-19, the Embassy of China made a donation of 22 000 surgical masks to the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The DSI in turn facilitated the donation of the masks to the Wendywood and Sedilega Clinics in Gauteng.
The masks were obtained specially for South Africa by China's former ambassador to South Africa, Mr Lin Songtian, in his capacity as the president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
The DSI's Director: Overseas Bilateral Relations, Ms Punkah Mdaka, said that China was an important ally for South Africa and that the country appreciated the donation.
"South Africa enjoys great friendship with China. The friendship is based on shared values – loyalty, trust, respect, compassion and independence. This has created a very solid relationship with China," said Mdaka.
Minister Counsellor Shen Long of the Embassy of China in South Africa said that the outbreak of COVID-19 had affected almost all countries and regions around the world.
"China and South Africa have been uniting and fighting as one against the pandemic, demonstrating the firm determination of our two countries to share weal and woe and tide over the difficult times together. This has also injected strong positive energy into China-Africa and global anti-pandemic cooperation," said Minister Counsellor Long.
He further emphasised that China would stand firmly with South Africa and do the best it could to help the South African people survive the global crisis.
Staff at the clinics welcomed the life-saving donations, which will go a long way towards keeping front-line workers safe.
The Department has an ongoing relationship with the Sedilega Clinic in Mabopane. In 2018 the clinic received repurposed shipping containers for additional filing, maternal and paediatric care space as part of the DSI's Nelson Mandela Day outreach work, which aims to help improve the lives of struggling communities.
