ZIMBABWE has handed over a total 20 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to the government of Namibia to assist the country’s fight against COVID-19.
HealthTimes Reporter
Zimbabwe also donated hand sanitisers, face masks, reusable surgical gowns, face shields and hand washing shields which were manufactured by local universities and companies as well as medicines manufactured by Zimbabwe pharmaceutical companies.
The handover ceremony took place at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Namibia where the Deputy Prime Minister and minister of International relations, Honorable Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah received the donation.
Giving her remarks, Honorable Ndaitwah said the gesture by Zimbabwe would go a long way in managing COVIND-19 as well as strengthening relations between the two countries.
The impact of COVUD-19 is felt all the the world. This is really the time when you who your real friends are in difficult times. It was on the 16th of March 2021 when the government of Zimbabwe at own cost delivered the vaccine donated by China and today we are here to receive vaccine donated and delivered by Zimbabwe to the people of Namibia together with other medical supplies and protective gear which is a clear testimony of the friendship and solidarity that exists between the two countries.
“We really thank the government of Zimbabwe for this generous donation of 20 000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines and other commodities. More gratifying is to hear that with the exception of the COVID-19 vaccine. All the consignment we are seeing here, the goods are manufactured in Zimbabwe” said Honorable Ndaitwah.
She added that donation will assist Namibia in fighting the devastating pandemic. She added that regional cooperation was to the way in the fight against COVID-19 as wealthy countries had horded vaccines and left nothing for resource limited countries.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honorable David Musabayana apart from the Sinopharm vaccine, the rest of the PPE and other equipment was manufactured in Zimbabwe.
“Times such as these call on us to work together more closely, that is why on behalf of the People’s Republic of Zimbabwe, i am honored to formerly handover 20 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccines and materials that include medicines, protective equipment
“May i also take this opportunity to inform you that except for the Sinopharm vaccine doses and syringes, the rest of the consignment was manufactured 100% in Zimbabwe. Our state Universities namely  the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), Bindura State University, Midlands State University (MSU) are the manufacturers of this PPE,” said Honorable Musabayana.
He added that sharing the vaccines with Namibia was an indication of the strength in the partnership Zimbabwe has to the people of Namibia and added the COVID-19 cannot be won alone.
