Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The abundant supply of urgently needed medical provisions by the Chinese donors has reinforced Pakistan’s efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Naghmana Hashmi said, says a message received here from Beijing. ‘We have received critical medical supplies worth millions of RMBs from Chinese donors including major SOEs, entrepreneurs engaged in several projects in Pakistan, provincial governments of China and also from private individuals.
These donations have reinforced Pakistan’s efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic and helped us contain and curb this disease,’ she said in an interview with China Economic Net. Ambassador Hashmi highlighted, ‘I must appreciate our donors for providing us with the abundant supply of urgently needed medical provisions. Their magnanimity and concern for health and safety of fellow human beings is not only a manifestation of their humane character but also offers an insight into peaceful and benevolent traits of Chinese civilization.’
China was the first country to face the brunt of COVID-19 pandemic and the only country in the world to have comprehensively curbed the disease. After its remarkable success in people’s war against the pandemic, China is now playing a commendable role by leading the international community in global efforts against COVID-19. ‘As iron-brothers, all-weather strategic partners and most reliable friends, Pakistan looked forward to China in its fight against the CPVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to our request, the Chinese public, state institutions and leading entrepreneurs have made generous donations of an overwhelming number of critical supplies and medical equipment to the Mission,’ Ambassador Hashmi said, adding that China’s assistance to Pakistan at this critical juncture has again proved that Pakistan and China are strategic partners, and such bilateral ties remain unaffected by myriad challenges and continue to grow from strength to strength.
In order to manage the continuous supply of donations being received on daily basis and its shipment to Pakistan, the embassy constituted a team of four Embassy officers under the guidance of Ambassador Hashmi to liaise with the donors and assist them in every way possible. The Embassy team, on the basis of feedback received from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), advised the donors to send specific medical equipment needed most urgently in Pakistan. The donors were particularly requested to follow local rules and regulations while sending donations to Pakistan.
‘We also made elaborate logistical arrangements including spacious warehouse, cargo handling and customs clearing facilities which were necessary for a swift and smooth processing of donations till the final shipment. Some of the equipment like testing kits were temperature-sensitive and they had to be kept under specific temperature conditions for which we made appropriate arrangements,’ Ambassador Hashmi added.
Responding to the adversities posed by COVID-19, Pakistan has mobilized its institutional, capital and human resources for coordinated efforts for disease prevention and control. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government is at the forefront to fight the epidemic.
The NDMA has been tasked to coordinate efforts with provincial and district authorities for implementation of necessary preventive and curative actions, and distributed donations to those regions/localities which are hit most by the pandemic, including those hospitals and medical staff who are at the forefront in fight against the pandemic. Besides, local NGO’s, government departments, provincial authorities has also benefitted from the donations of critical medical supplies.
Talking about challenges the embassy met in coordinating donations to Pakistan, the ambassador said when China was still grappling with COVID-19 and many cities were sealed, their ability of physical movement was greatly impeded, and the situation was further aggravated by suspension of normal air linkages.
