Swazi Observer

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TAIWAN SENDS IN DOCTORS, PPES

By MBONO MDLULI And SIMON SHABANGU | 2020-05-03

There was little fanfare than would have been usual at the KMIII International Airport yesterday morning, but the arrival of the chartered flight deserved more than the red carpet treatment rolled out for the guests.

The arrival of the chartered flight – which arrived just after 7am – might have received a low-key welcome reception, but it was a significant one, which brought with it some much needed relief and good news for the country.

Four Taiwanese doctors disembarked from the flight, met by the Taiwan Ambassador Jeremy Liang and the Principal Secretary in the ministry of health Dr Simon Zwane, among other officials.

These was a sense of joy and relief for the ambassador and the ministry of health as the team of doctors touched down at the airport. Previously, an array of traditional performances would have been on hand to welcome the team, however, it could only be kept to a bare minimum.

The four specialists led by Chief of Taiwan Medical Mission in the country Dr Tu and Liao, Say-Tsung who is the Director of Taiwan Medical Mission Rheumatology among other members of the delegation are here to help in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.

The team comprise Lin Yu-Hsuan who is an Intensive Care Unit nurse, Li, Hsin-Ya who is a Respiratory Therapist, Li-Yhan Chen an Infection Control specialist, as well as Kevin Shu-Leung Lai, who is a Pulmonary Intensive Care specialist among the delegation.

The doctors were later received by Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, on behalf of the King, a few hours after their arrival at an event held at Royal Villas in Ezulwini.

This reception comes after the King requested assistance from Taiwan in April to fight the deadly disease.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen ordered that the four doctors and some material to fight the disease be sent to the country.

The doctors’ chartered flight was paid for by the Nathan Kirsh Foundation, as well as all transportation costs of the cargo. Receiving the COVID-19 resources with the prime minister were Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Masuku, Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla, who was the programme director of the event.

Receiving the doctors and the medical supplies, the PM said he was happy that the Taiwanese were committed in helping Eswatini in fighting COVID-19. “I am excited to also receive, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, the consignment of essential medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment which is most needed at this time to effectively respond to the COVID-19 challenges confronting us,” the prime minister said.

He said it was a happy occasion for the country to see its friends (Taiwan) join Eswatini in the war against this ruthless enemy (COVID-19).

Taiwan has been sharing bilateral relations with Eswatini for 52 years now. This medical mission and assistance, the PM said, would go a long way in strengthening the capabilities of the country’s health sector, especially at this time when the world was looking for an effective strategy to rid the globe of this pandemic and return to normal life.

“Our health sector will largely benefit from the experience and expertise of these health experts who have been in the frontline back in Taiwan in the battle against COVID 19, for which Taiwan has received international acclaim,” he said. Taiwan has been the model of readiness to deal with the novel coronavirus. The country has been pleading with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be included into the governing body in order to benefit the world on its successful measures as it has demonstrated its readiness to deal with the pandemic. Taiwan began implementing onboard quarantine of direct flights from Wuhan the same day information concerning a novel pneumonia outbreak was first confirmed on December 31.

Taiwan bends rules to help Eswatini

The Republic of China (Taiwan) has bent its own rules just to see Eswatini being helped in the fight against COVID-19.

Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini said Taiwan, like many countries of the world, had decided to restrict exportation of their medical supplies. However, President Tsai saw that it was necessary for the island nation to bend its own rules and let its medical products to be exported to this country.

“Sourcing medical supplies from abroad has become tougher by the day, as most countries have banned the exportation of health equipment and medication in order to sa

tisfy their domestic needs and demands,” the premier said. Dlamini said the country’s health professionals on the frontline needed more protective personal equipment (PPE) to continue saving lives.

The country owed them a lot of gratitude for steadfastly remaining loyal to their calling and working through trying conditions to deal with this pandemic.

The PM said it was for this reason that yesterday the country received the consignment of PPEs and the medical team from Taiwan, which remained the country’s friends and partners.

“The Republic of China (Taiwan) has always been a nation that comes through for Eswatini in most of our challenges and afflictions, and today is no different,” he said.

Taiwan ready to share expertise – Ambassador

Taiwan is ready to share its expert knowledge with Eswatini, especially on COVID-19.

This was said Taiwan Ambassador to Eswatini Dr. Jeremy Liang when introducing the doctors to Eswatini government officials during the event yesterday.

Liang said by Taiwan had received international recognition for being able to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

He said his country was willing to share that experience with Eswatini, as the country had been a loyal friend to Taiwan for 52 years.

He said the doctors were expected to start working as soon as they have landed in the country.

Doctors to stay for a month

The Taiwanese doctors are expected to stay in the country for a month.

This was said by Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi yesterday during an interview with journalists after the event at Royal Villas. Nkosi said for now, her ministry could expect the doctors to stay for a month. However, any changes on this arrangement were possible. If the COVID-19 situation subsided in the country, they could stay for a short time.

They could also stay for longer than a month, if the situation called for them to do so.

Nkosi said she could not specify on the amount of money already spent by Taiwan in helping the country, as their help was continuous. She said other personal protective clothing was still on its way, apart from the one that was delivered yesterday.

The minister said the Taiwanese government helped in donating 13 ventilators and other medicines that would be helpful in treating COVID-19 patients.

She commended the doctors for being brave enough to visit the country, even though it was high risk.

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