US donates protective gear for front-line staff to SA
The US has delivered approximately R5.9million worth of personal protective equipment to the South African Department of Health for front-line healthcare workers in the battle against Covid-19.
Speaking at Oliver Tambo International Airport moments after the equipment had landed, US Ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks said the equipment comprised masks, gloves, medical gowns and sanitising supplies.
It will be distributed in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The US Africa Command also announced that it would be supporting the set-up of handwashing stations in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, contributing R4million to the initiative.
Marks said this brought the total value of US support toward South Africa’s Covid-19 response to over R808m.
“This delivery of lifesaving equipment, critically needed in South Africa, shows how we can leverage the infrastructure of our strong defence co-operation to further bolster US support to South Africa’s Covid-19 response.
“This desperately needed equipment will aid South Africa in acknowledgement of the special friendship between South Africa and the United States of America.
“In consultation with the Ministry of Health, items in short supply on the ground in SA to fight this invisible enemy will be supplied.”
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