China wants to help Africa fight coronavirus but not everyone is welcoming
Chinese medical aid for Covid-19 in Africa gets mixed support With the worst of the coronavirus behind it now,
China has been ramping up its international assistance to other countries so they can also contain the virus.
It has been stepping up to support African countries, especially now, as the United States and Europe concentrate on their own massive outbreaks.
Africa
has confirmed over 10,000 cases of Covid-19 in 52 countries. While the figures are still relatively low compared to with the continent’s population, there are concerns about the ability of health systems to cope if case numbers rise at a rapid rate.
This week, 500 ventilators and 200,000 personal protective equipment
will arrive in Ethiopia to be distributed to African countries.
It is the second massive donation to be made by the billionaire Chinese tech founder
Jack Ma. In March, he donated over 1 million test kits and 600,000 masks to Africa.
From Algeria to Zimbabwe,
both Chinese government support and Chinese companies operating on the continent, mobilized by their embassies,
have embarked on a donation blitz of cash, PPE and testing kits.
China has made clear it wants to help but even in Africa where it has cultivated deep ties,
that help is viewed suspiciously and in some cases even unwelcome.
However, in a scathing rejection of the proposed plans, the Nigerian Medical Association said inviting foreign doctors presented a national security concern and “demeans their sacrifices so far in this pandemic.”
Quartz Africa
https://qz.com/africa/1834670/chinese-medical-aid-for-covid-19-in-africa-gets-mixed-support/
As virus spreads, Africa gets supplies from China’s Jack Ma – ABC News