The Rwandan government on Sunday received 300,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Government of China, the second batch donated by China so far.
Dr. Albert Tuyishime, Head of Department at Rwanda Biomedical Centre expressed sincere gratitude for China’s consistent support to Rwanda.
He said, “As a precious gift from China, the newly arrived vaccine is a major boost to Rwanda’s mass inoculation campaign, which planned to immunize at least 60 percent of the target population. Rwanda stands ready to work with China together to lift their ties to a new height in the post-pandemic era”
Dr.Tuyishime together with Wang Jiaxin, the economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese signed the handover certificate on behalf of the two governments at the ceremony.
Wang Jiaxin, said that China is happy to make a contribution toward Rwanda’s vaccine rollout. The donation demonstrates solidarity and friendship between China and Rwanda.
“The economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, noting that China appreciates the measures taken by the Rwandan government to contain the virus and revitalize its economy” Wang pointed out.
He added, “China is willing to join hands with Rwanda to take the opportunity of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and also the upcoming session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, to strengthen unity and coordination, further benefit the two peoples, and deepen China-Rwanda relationship even further in future cooperation”
In the middle of August this year, Rwanda received 200,000 doses of Chinese Sinapharm vaccines, which helped Rwanda push forward its national vaccination plan.
So far about 4 million people in Rwanda have received the first COVID-19 jab while about 2 million have been fully vaccinated, according to the Ministry of Health.
The doses will immediately be dispatched to districts outside the capital of Kigali in order to be administered to eligible and priority community members, according to health officials.
