DAR ES SALAAM — The Chinese embassy in Tanzania on May 15 handed over the first batch of anti-epidemic supplies donated by the Chinese government to help the east African nation fight COVID-19.

The supplies include 2,000 N95 protective masks for medical use, 10,000 surgical masks, 10,000 surgical gloves, 10,000 medical isolation shoe covers, 2,000 pieces of protective clothing, 2,000 medical protective goggles and 500 infrared thermometers.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke handed over the medical supplies to Mabula Mchembe, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

Wang said she hopes the supplies will be swiftly distributed to healthcare workers to enable them to be better equipped to treat COVID-19 patients and save lives.

The ambassador said the China-Tanzania joint fight against COVID-19 is the epitome of China-Africa relationship.

"Currently, COVID-19 is still spreading in Africa, and the situation is becoming increasingly serious, which poses a severe threat to people's lives and health," Wang said.

Mchembe, the permanent secretary, thanked the Chinese government for the supplies which he said will provide relief to healthcare workers on the frontline of fighting COVID-19.

He also thanked private health facilities for their good cooperation with the government in treating COVID-19 patients as well as patients suffering from other diseases.