Chinese medical team arrives in Zimbabwe to help fight COVID-19

At the invitation of the Zimbabwean government, a medical expert team dispatched by the Chinese government and bringing with them urgently needed medical supplies arrived in Harare, the country’s capital, on May 11.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun, Zimbabwean Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing July Moyo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade David Musabayana and Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care John Mangwiro welcomed the Chinese medical experts and attended the handover ceremony of Chinese medical supplies at the airport.

Chinese medical experts pose for a group photo at the airport in Zimbabwe on May 11. [Photo/zw.china-embassy.org]

Guo said that China acted quickly when COVID-19 hit Zimbabwe and provided the country with strong support. It is a concrete practice of building relations with Africa based on the principle of  sincerity, real results, affinity, and Good Faith”.

China appreciates the active anti-pandemic measures adopted by the Zimbabwean government and is willing to continue to exchange anti-pandemic experience with Zimbabwe and jointly enhance the two countries’ pandemic prevention and control capabilities, said Guo, adding that he believes the two countries will defeat the virus with a joint response at an early date and lift their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to a new level.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun (L4) is interviewed at the ceremony. [Photo/zw.china-embassy.org]

On behalf of the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the government and people of Zimbabwe, Moyo welcomed the Chinese expert team and thanked the Chinese government for the assistance. China brings hope to Zimbabwe by sending the top medical team and donating valuable anti-pandemic supplies to the country, which greatly enhances Zimbabwe’s determination to defeat the virus.

The arrival of the Chinese medical experts demonstrates the tradition of profound friendship between the two peoples, shows China’s high attention to Zimbabwe and once again displays that China is an all-weather partner to Zimbabwe, added Moyo.

During their stay, the Chinese experts have an intense schedule and will carry out communication and exchanges with a leading Zimbabwean anti-pandemic team, the Ministry of Health, Pandemic Prevention and Control of Harare and representatives of the World Health Organization in Zimbabwe. 

Through videoconferences and other channels, the Chinese medical experts will share their anti-pandemic experience with and train medical workers from different regions of Zimbabwe.

In addition, the Chinese medical team will visit designated hospitals for COVID-19 treatment and train medical workers in light of the country's needs.