The Saudi Arabian government has provided approximately $32 million worth of medical equipment and supplies to Jamaica to aid in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation includes 25,000 surgical sterile gowns, 125,000 non-sterile surgical gowns, 188,000 medical masks, 1.6 million surgical masks, 9,500 nitrile gloves, and 23 ventilators, which were arranged by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.
In welcoming the donation, Jamaica’s State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn said it demonstrates the continued partnership between Jamaica and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since diplomatic relations were established in 1976.
Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn State Minister Jamaica
“Our bilateral cooperation over the years has included grants and concessional loans for projects, scholarships, imports, and exports. Today, we are expanding that cooperation [with] the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supporting Jamaica’s COVID-19 response…with [this] donation. Thanks to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for offering a helping hand even in the face of your [own] struggle with the pandemic to the Government and people of Jamaica. These items will doubtlessly help to ease the burden on our public health system while also supporting our continued and best efforts to ensure the most optimal health outcomes for the people of Jamaica.”
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Jamaica, His Excellency Faisal Falah Alharbi has noted that the bright side to the pandemic has been the cooperation and the solidarity that countries have shown amongst themselves “and today is a remarkable example.”
“The Government attaches high importance to its relationship with Jamaica and is committed to developing the existing friendship and cooperation between the countries. The Government of Jamaica’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis has been robust and I hope what we are doing today will help to ensure that this robust response continues,” added HE Alharbi.
