Tunisia Takes Delivery of Medical Equipment Donated By Japan

Tunisia, on Wednesday, took delivery of a first batch of medical equipment, worth 13 million dinars, donated by Japan to back the Health Ministry's efforts in fighting the coronavirus.

Health Minister Faouzi Mehdi said at a ceremony at the Port of Radès (Ben Arous) the Japanese donation, which includes 69 resuscitation incubators and 41 portable ultrasound machines, will increase hospital capacities and support the ministry's efforts particularly amid the health situation due to the spread of the Coronavirus.

He said the first batch of this Japanese donation, consisting of 25 portable ultrasound machines, will be given to emergency departments and hospitals across the country.

Mehdi said health facilities next November will be equipped with 70 neonatal resuscitation devices donated by Japan. Training will be offered to biomedical engineers and health facilities will be provided maintenance, he added.

On the epidemiological situation in the country, the Minister underscored that the pandemic will be slowed down only when health protocols are respected and more vaccines are administered, particularly after the emergence of the new South African strain (5 cases confirmed until now) and the spread of the UK strain in the country.

Japanese Ambassador to Tunisia Shinsuke Shimizu expressed his country's readiness to support the Ministry's effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus and provide hospitals, particularly emergency departments, with the necessary medical equipment and supplies. (Allafrica)