RWANDA GETS COVID-19 RELIEF FROM QATAR

By Edwin Ashimwe, Kigali RWANDA

Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Daniel Ngamije, has said that the medical supplies Rwanda received from Qatar were a considerable boost to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ngamije said this as he officially received the supplies loaded on a Qatar Airways aircraft which landed at Kigali International Airport on Wednesday morning. 

Handed over by Abdallah bin Ahmed, Ambassador of Qatar to Rwanda, the assorted equipment with an estimated value of $1 million measured 15 tonnes. 

The consignment includes personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as face masks, gloves, overalls for frontline workers, hospital boots, among others. 

“They are materials that we really needed these days. They also come in to compliment a number of medical equipment that our government has bought since the pandemic struck,” Ngamije said.

Additionally, the health minister pointed out that, “These are materials which are used frequently, a frontline worker can change their attire more than five times per day, which means that we always ensure that there is enough stock for people helping out in different health facilities.”

Ngamije also highlighted the good bilateral relationship that both governments enjoy.

“Our relationship is strong, in such times, different countries need such donations seeing that they are able to provide such donations it is a sign that our relationship is at a good standing.”

According to the Qatari ambassador to Rwanda, the donation comes to fulfill the promise announced by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani made on Monday, April 27.

The Emir had directed his government to quickly deliver medical equipment to Rwanda and other countries to support the country’s efforts to fight the #COVIDー19 pandemic.

The other countries expected to receive the delivery from the Gulf nation include Algeria, Tunisia and Nepal.

Considering the number of COVID-19 patients in the country, and the equipment in stock so far, the health minister said, “We are sure that this can take us for more three months”

Rwanda has so far confirmed 212 coronavirus cases of which 95 have fully recovered. The country has not reported any death thus far.

Qatar Government through Qatar Airways acquired a stake in the upcoming international airport in Bugesera district and confirmed earlier this year that it was in the advanced stages of negotiations to acquire a 49 per cent stake in RwandAir.

The two countries also collaborate in other areas including fighting corruption.