Chinese Community donates 15 ventilators, 20,000 masks to Ridge Hospital

The Chinese Community in Ghana has donated 15 Ventilators and 20,000 medical masks to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge.

The Community has also donated 1,600 N95 masks, 120 protective suits, 60 face shields, and 100 medical goggles to the Hospital.

The Chinese Embassy and Chinese Community further donated milk, cocoa powder and cereal to the Hospital.

Speaking at the donation ceremony on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Shi Ting Wang, expressed the "...hope these supplies can help Ghana win the battle as early as possible."

He stated that the items were donated through a partnership between the Chinese Embassy in Ghana and the Chinese Community.

He noted that "the Covid-19 global pandemic is most extensive to afflict humanity in a century. A serious crisis for the entire world, and a daunting challenge, it poses a grave threat to human life and health."

"This is a war that humanity has to fight and win. Facing this unknown, unexpected, and devastating disease, China launched a resolute battle to prevent and control its spread," he added.

He said making people’s lives and health its first priority, China adopted extensive, stringent, and thorough containment measures, and has for now succeeded in turning the situation around.

"There are only a few home-grown confirmed cases in China right now. A decisive victory was secured but we are still vigilant and extremely cautious."

"The COVID-19 pandemic is raging the world. Lives are lost every single day. China believes that all countries should make the choice that is right for the interests of all humanity and the wellbeing of our future generations."

" Upholding the vision of a global community of shared future, we should support each other and join hands to contain the spread of the virus, and protect the health and wellbeing of people across the globe."

"Above others, China put it a top priority to help developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America – especially Africa –improve their capacity and performance in epidemic prevention and control. In addition to the medical supplies sent to over 50 African countries and the AU, and 7 medical expert teams dispatched to the continent, China will offer more assistance to African countries, and continue to do all in its power to offer support."

China and Ghana stood hand in hand since the beginning of the outbreak. At the beginning of this year when China’s epidemic situation was in its most difficult period, Ghana has given us a lot of support. And in return, when the outbreak began in Ghana since March, China spares no pains to help Ghana and other African countries in fighting against the virus, he said.

China is the first country to send medical supplies by chartered flight to Ghana. In the past few month, batches after batches of medical donations have been sent to Ghana in different ways, including Chinese government assistance, Jack Ma foundation, the local Chinese community and enterprises donations, and etc, he recounted.

He assured that "We will continue to do so in the future. To enhance strategic communication between China and Africa, and build consensus on uniting to fight against the pandemic, an Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 will be conveyed today."

Receiving the items on behalf of the Hospital were Deputy Minister of Health Dr Bernard Oko Boye and Medical Director, Dr. Emmanuel Srofenyoh.

Dr. Boye thanked the Chinese Embassy and Community for the support.

He says the donation had come at a right time. He said with the Hospital looking to improve its ICU to cater for covid-19 patients, it cannot succeed in that regard without ventilators, thus the donation of 15 Ventilators was a welcoming news.

Present at the short ceremony held at the forecourt of the Hospital were Tang Hong, President of Ghana Association of Chinese Societies, and leaders of Chinese Community in Ghana.