China donates ‘vaccination buses’ to Jamaica
The Government’s vaccination drive has been boosted through the donation of two mobile units by the Yantai Municipal People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The vehicles, valued at ¥878,597 RMB (approximately J$19 million) are already in operation and are being managed by the South East Regional Health Authority.
Addressing the symbolic virtual handover ceremony on Thursday, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, said that the mobile vaccination units have made stops at 12 sites across the island to date.
“At each stop, we were able to vaccinate on average 200 Jamaicans with a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine,” he said, noting that five more sites are being targeted in the coming days.
He informed that the ministry will be seeking to purchase additional units from the manufacturer for the island’s vaccination programme.
“I have been on the buses, toured, seen them in action, both in urban and rural settings, and I really have to commend the manufacturers for the quality of the product, the ease of use, the comfort that it offers to those who are using it,” he said.
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, Ambassador Tian Qi, said that the donation of the vehicles, as well as medical equipment, which will arrive in the island shortly, will further bolster the country’s response to the pandemic.
He noted that China has been doing its best to provide humanitarian assistance to the international community and supporting global anti- epidemic efforts and will be providing two billion doses of vaccines for the rest of the world by the end of this year.