Harare (New Ziana) – The close ties between Zimbabwe and China on Monday saw the former becoming the first country in Southern Africa where Beijing has deployed medical staff to help sharpen its Covid-19 response.
The 12 member medical mission met President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday at State House.
Being the first country hit by the deadly pandemic in December last year, China has gained vast expertise in preventative and treatment measures needed to curb the disease.
Through imposing strict lockdowns and using its vast medical expertise China was able to slow down the rate of infection and deaths to manageable levels.
In light of that, President Mnangagwa said knowledge from the Chinese perspective on how to deal with Covid-19 was most welcome.
“Your visit comes at a time when my country is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, I am confident that our medical experts and the frontline health personnel will learn from your experience in dealing with this pandemic which has destroyed lives and livelihoods the world over including Zimbabwe,” he said.
“China’s vast experience in this regard would immensely benefit Zimbabwe and the entire region with which we are collaborating and coordinating with in terms of our regional response. The government and people of Zimbabwe cherish the assistance as it comes at a critical moment in this fight against the pandemic.”
He added: “You should be free to visit wherever you want to visit, ask questions you want to ask, we do not have answers for all your questions but we will do our best to make you understand our situation so that you know how to assist us.”
Zimbabwe currently has 37 Covid-19 cases including 12 recoveries and four deaths.
President Mnangagwa said the secondment of the medical team to Zimbabwe was testimony of the excellent relations between Harare and Beijing.
“Zimbabwe is under sanctions for nearly two decades, but during the entire period, the People’s Republic of China and now in particular, His Excellency President Xi Jinping has stood by us, we feel grateful.
“The financial, material and technical support my government has received and continues to receive from the People’s Republic of China is clear testimony of the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two brotherly nations,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun said the medical team will be in Zimbabwe for 15 days.
“So far among the Southern African countries, China has only sent an expert team to Zimbabwe. It does not mean that the epidemic situation in Zimbabwe is the worst but because we have placed great importance in China-Zimbabwe relations,” he said.
He said he was optimistic of Zimbabwe’s chances of fending off the virus soon because of measures government has taken to curb its spread.
Some of the interventions instituted by the Zimbabwe government include enforcing a nationwide lockdown, ensuring mandatory quarantine of returning residents at designated centres and equipping hospitals across the country.
“I would like to express my gratitude for all the measures taken by Zimbabwe against the Coronavirus, as a foreigner in Zimbabwe I would like to say I feel very safe here, we believe with our common efforts we will win the battle in the end.”
“Covid-19 is a common challenge that humanity is facing, the most effective weapon against it will be international coordination and cooperation,” he said.
New Ziana
