HARARE, May 22 -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday expressed Zimbabwe's gratitude to the visiting team of Chinese medical experts for sharing their experience and knowledge with Zimbabwe's frontline medical staff in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
He extended the appreciation in a letter read out by Zimbabwean Health Minister Obadiah Moyo at a joint press conference at the conclusion of the team's two week visit to the country.
"I write to express to you, and your colleagues, my deep personal gratitude, and that of my Government and the people of Zimbabwe, for your unwavering support by sharing the expertise garnered from China's victorious battle against the COVID-19 pandemic," Mnangagwa said in the letter addressed to the leader of the Chinese medical team, Zhu Yimin.
He said Zimbabwe's medical staff had benefited immensely from the team's frontline knowledge in fighting COVID-19.
"It is my hope, as you leave us, that you carry fond memories of Zimbabwean people in your hearts and minds and that you will, forever, take pride in knowing that you have made a personal and hugely valuable contribution to ensuing that Zimbabwe, like China, is poised to emerge victorious from its battle against this deadly pandemic," Mnangagwa said.
During its visit, the 12-member team of Chinese medical experts toured four of the country's 10 provinces to share their experience with local medical staff in combating the pandemic.
These are Harare, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West provinces.
The team also donated medical supplies to the hospitals they visited including Marondera Provincial Hospital, Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital and Mvurwi Hospital.
The team which arrived in the country on May 11, met Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, senior government officials and World Health Organization officials, among others.
The team comes from southern China's Hunan Province and is made up of experts from infectious diseases and respiratory illnesses, intensive medicine, infection control, traditional Chinese medicine as well as public health and nursing.
At the press conference, Zhu Yimin presented a report with their recommendations on fighting COVID-19 to the Zimbabwean government.
Zhu said measures taken by Zimbabwe to fight the pandemic have been effective so far, as shown by the relatively low number of COVID-19 cases that stand at 51, including 18 recoveries and four deaths since the onset of the outbreak on March 20.
He said they were encouraged to note that the Zimbabwean government greatly values the advice and proposals from the Chinese medical experts.