The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated essential medical equipment and supplies valued at over $32 million to Jamaica to aid in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center donated 25,000 sterile surgical gowns, 125,000 non-sterile surgical gowns, 188,000 medical masks,1.6 million surgical masks, 9,500 nitrile gloves, and 23 ventilators.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Jamaica, His Excellency Faisal Falah Alharbi, virtually handed over the items during a ceremony held at the New Kingston offices of the Ministry of Health and Wellness on Thursday, July 29.
The Ambassador noted that the cooperation and the unity that countries have shown amongst themselves has been a bright side to the pandemic. Ambassador Alharbi said his Government values its relationship with Jamaica and is committed to developing the existing partnership between the countries.
He highlighted that his country has been playing an active role at the international and national levels, with a commitment of US$500 million to support global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn said the donations signifies the continued partnership between Jamaica and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the establishment of both nations diplomatic relations in 1976. This bilateral cooperation has resulted in partnerships for grants, scholarships, imports, exports, among others.
Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn said the Government and people of Jamaica are grateful to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their generosity even while dealing with their issues with the COVID-19 pandemic.
