- Title: Coronavirus medical supplies donated by Alibaba's Ma arrive in Ethiopia
- Date: 22nd March 2020
- Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (MARCH 22, 2020 ) (REUTERS) PLANE MOVING ON TARMAC CARGO PLANE PARKED ON TARMAC VARIOUS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES BEING UNLOADED FROM PLANE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DURING HANDOVER CEREMONY ETHIOPIAN MINISTER OF HEALTH LIA TADESSE AT HANDOVER CEREMONY BOX OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES (SOUNDBITE) (English) ETHIOPIAN MINISTER OF HEALTH, LIA TADESSE, SAYING: "So this initiative, that was brought by our excellency Prime Minister Abiy (Ahmed) and in partnership with the Jack Ma Foundation, is going to be really instrumental, not only in impacting our country's capacity, but the whole continent's capacity in detecting cases timely, and also in enabling to contain and mitigate the outbreak because as much as you detect, that's when you can contain this outbreak." VARIOUS OF PACKAGE BEING UNLOADED FROM PLANE AFRICA CENTRES FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (AFRICA CDC) AND ETHIOPIAN OFFICIALS RECEIVING BOX OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES (SOUNDBITE) (English) AFRICA CENTRES FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (AFRICA CDC) DIRECTOR, JOHN NKENGASONG, SAYING: "It's a huge threat for Africa, not even a threat, it's a looming disaster for Africa, we have to be very clear and take this seriously. We have to win the battle against COVID in Africa because it is going to be devastating, on humanitarian side, on the economic side and the security side. This is a serious challenge for the continent." VARIOUS OF PACKAGES IN AIRPORT
- Embargoed: 5th April 2020 12:56
- Keywords: Addis Ababa Africa-China relations China Chinese billionare Ethiopia Ethiopia airport Jack Ma coronavirus test kits masks for Africa testing kits for Africa
- Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- City: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- Country: Ethiopia
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001C64V22V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The first batch of protective and medical equipment donated by Chinese billionaire and Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma was flown into the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Sunday (March 22), as coronavirus cases in Africa rose above 1,100.
The virus has spread more slowly in Africa than in Asia or Europe but has a foothold in 41 African nations and two territories. So far it has claimed 37 lives across the continent of 1.3 billion people.
The shipment is a much-needed boost to African healthcare systems that were already stretched before the coronavirus crisis, but nations will still need to ration supplies at a time of global scarcity.
Only patients showing symptoms will be tested, the regional Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Sunday.
"The flight carried 5.4 million face masks, kits for 1.08 million detection tests, 40,000 sets of protective clothing and 60,000 sets of protective face shields," Ma's foundation said in a statement.
"The faster we move, the earlier we can help."
The shipment had a sign attached with the slogan, "when people are determined they can overcome anything".
The supplies will be distributed across Africa, with countries particularly "vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic" to receive theirs first, the statement said, adding that more supplies will be sent to Ethiopia in the coming weeks.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Twitter that the distribution of supplies will start on Monday (March 23).
The ability to test for the virus is one of the key strategies to control the outbreak, Ethiopia health minister Lia Tadesse told reporters, hailing the aid initiative at a ceremony to receive the supplies.
(Production: Kumerra Gemechu and Maria Vasilyeva) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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