The Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has stepped in to help Solomon Islands in the fight to contain the spread of community transmission of the corona virus following urgent discussions with the Honiara government on the weekend.
The first shipment of urgent medical supplies will arrive next week by a Chinese government cargo flight, the Chinese Embassy in Honiara announced in a press statement issued overnight.
The first shipment of urgent assistance from China includes:
- Humanitarian funding of USD $320,000 (SBD $2,560,000);
- 50,000 doses of SinoPharm vaccines;
- 51,200 packs of disposable syringe (with needle);
- 20,000 rapid antigen test kits (FAT);
- PPEs and medical supplies; and
- 50 units of 5 to 6 meter-tent kits for field hospital’s makeshift buildings
Field hospital tent kits are to be shipped by sea shortly, the statement said.
“China stands firmly with Solomon Islands in its fight against the pandemic and is ready to do more, the press statement said.
“The Chinese government and people share empathy with the government and people of Solomon Islands for the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Solomon Islands.
“After first daily announcement of newly confirmed cases by the Honorable Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the Chinese Embassy in Honiara discussed anti-Covid 19 aid supplies with officials of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET),” the statement said.
China stands firmly with Solomon Islands in its fight against the pandemic. In the past years China has provided hundreds of thousands of PPEs, helped build first PCR laboratory, established the first Isolation Ward at the National Referral Hospital, and shared China’s know-how, the statement said.
“At this difficult time, we are sympathetic with those affected people and their families. China will provide urgent assistance to the government and people of Solomon Islands to help contain the spread of the virus.
“And China stands ready to respond to further assistance requests of Solomon Islands government. Let us join hands with full confidence, and work together for a shared future,” the statement said.
One woman has died from the virus since the government slapped a 60-hour lockdown last Wednesday. Community transmission cases are rising daily and as of Sunday stood at 346.
