Sao Tome and Principe thanks China for helping fight COVID-19

Jorge Bom Jesus, prime minister of Sao Tome and Principe, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for actively responding to the country's request and sending medical experts to Sao Tome and Principe at this difficult time in the fight against COVID-19. He made his remarks during a meeting with the Chinese medical team on June 6.

Jesus said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Since the pandemic outbreak, China has provided various supports to the country such as material assistance, personnel training and transportation guarantees. The kind gestures extended by China are concrete practices of the two countries' high-level friendly cooperation, and show China's sincere support for Sao Tome and Principe in its fight against the virus.

Jorge Bom Jesus, prime minister of Sao Tome and Principe, meets with Chinese medical experts on June 6. [st.china-embassy.org/handout via Xinhua]

Jesus added that even though the Chinese expert team did not stay for long in the country they shared anti-pandemic information and experience with local medical workers without reservation, effectively improving the local medical system's ability to combat the virus.

Health Minister Edgar Neves of Sao Tome and Principe said that the Chinese experts carried out intensive training and field visits and conducted one-to-one guidance to impart theoretical knowledge and share precious experience with local medical workers. It helped the country improve diagnosis and treatment levels and pandemic prevention and control capability, and enhance its confidence in defeating the virus.

Chinese Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe Wang Wei said that actions speak louder than words. The Chinese medical experts immediately started their work when they arrived in Sao Tome and Principe. They carried out in-depth exchanges with local medical teams, shared China's anti-pandemic experience and offered sincere suggestions to help the country build a line of defense in its public health system. Their contributions vividly showed the close cooperation between the two counties.

The Chinese medical team arrived in Sao Tome and Principe on May 31, and consisted of 12 experts in infectious disease, respiratory care, intensive care, nursing, traditional medicine, medical testing and imaging, infection control and public health.