COVID-19: China sends medical assistance to Pakistan

Islamabad: A special plane from China carrying a team of eight medical experts and relief assistance landed here on Saturday to help Pakistan to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected over 1,400 people in the country, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood welcomed the Chinese guests at the Islamabad airport.

“The Chinese medical team will be in Pakistan for two weeks,” the Foreign Office said.

The team of eight medical experts will assist Pakistani doctors and health experts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, it said.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s all-weather ally China has extended full support to the country in its fight against the deadly viral infection.

“China’s assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, 3,00,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, and support to build an isolation hospital,” it said.

A considerable amount of donations from private sources from China has also arrived in Pakistan.