Chinese envoy hopes Pakistan will soon overcome coronavirus

Islamabad : Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Yao Jing Tuesday appreciated the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for setting up a 120-bed Corona Care Hospital in Rawalpindi and creating awareness among masses about COVID-19 by mobilizing its trained volunteers.

Addressing a joint press conference with Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Abrar ul Haq at the National Headquarters Auditorium, Yao Jing said, Pakistan and China are partners against the Coronavirus, adding that the Chinese Embassy was, on a daily basis, striving to provide whatever assistance and expertise that Pakistan needed. He hoped that the brave brotherly people of Pakistan will finally overcome the epidemic through national unity, discipline, and awareness. Secretary General PRCS Khalid Bin Majeed and PRCS officers and volunteers were present on the occasion.

Abrar-ul-Haq thanked the Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) on behalf of PRCS and people of Pakistan for the great support they have always been extending to Pakistan, particularly at a time when the country is locked in a tough fight with COVID-19. He particularly thanked the Chinese ambassador for supplying 200,000 9N-95 masks and reusable hoodies to PRCS for their onward distribution to doctors and paramedics busy treating COVID-19 patients at government hospitals and other health facilities. He said, PRCS, together with the Chinese ambassador, was planning something big for Pakistan to come to grips with the unfortunate situation arising from the Covid-19 outbreak. Abrar said the people of Pakistan had learnt a lot from the Chinese government and people about how to fight COVID-19 and hoped that the bond would strengthen further. He said, the 10-bed purpose-built hospital was equipped with nine ventilators; one ventilator could cater to two patients because of coupling. He said, 27 patients could be treated at the hospital’s ICU.

Abrar told the media that the PRCS was facing acute blood shortage due to the lockdown, creating a serious situation for the patients, especially cancer and Thalassemia patients. He requested nonremunerated voluntary blood donors to visit PRCS Regional Blood Donor Centre or any other facility for donations.

Khalid Bin Majeed said the N-95 masks donated by the Red Cross Society of China were being provided to hospitals. He said on the request of the Punjab government, PRCS was also setting up eight field hospitals to handle patients if the situation worsened.