- Dr. Shahzad Yaqoob
Works in Orthopedics Dept. at Central Hospital, Hafr Al-Batin-MOH-KSA
M.S (Orth- 2009 – 2012) Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi. China – on fully funded CSC scholarship
M.B.B.S (2001-2006, Pioneer batch) Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China – with Certificate of Excellence
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) on Thursday 13 Feb, inked six joint pacts with renowned international companies for the providing the medical equipment and supplies to combat the COVID-19 in China, following the directives issued by His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, in coordination with the Chinese embassy in Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.
The first contract was signed for the provision of 300,000 N95 type masks; with the Extra Med. Assistant General Supervisor of KSRelief for Administrative and Financial Affairs Dr. Al-Mazroui signed a contract with the General Electric to provide 60 acoustic devices, along with another contract to for 30 ventilators, 89 cardiac shock devices, and 200 intravenous pumps with the Chinese company Monday. He signed a contract with Aiden Investments for the provision of 277 patient monitoring devices, another contract for the provision of 500 intravenous pumps with Meditech, and a contract to provide three dialysis devices with Javron, and a final contract to secure 1,000 insulated clothing with IBI Guard.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor of the Royal Court and general supervisor of KSRelief, said that the center is pleased to sign joint contracts to support China to combat COVID-19 and that is in implementation of the directives of His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah added, “These six agreements to provide China with medical equipment, diagnostic, curative, and preventive supplies, and protective clothing, are all based on the request of the Government of China. His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman responded immediately, and KSRelief managed to provide those supplies in a very short time, at a time when most countries (are not capable of), and these items will be delivered within five days.”
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah also added this rapid response from His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman comes as an affirmation of the strong relationship between the two countries and the depth of historical friendship between the SAUDI ARABIA and China, noting that this noble initiative reflects the Kingdom’s emerging humanitarian role that leads the world in humanitarian initiatives and standing in the fight against crises facing countries and societies. It also shows the Kingdom’s efforts to support stability and sustainable development in the world.
Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the supervisor general of KSRelief, and Chinese Ambassador Chen Weiqing stand during the pacts signing ceremony
On behalf of the Chinese government, Ambassador Weiqing appreciated His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince and people of Saudi Arabia for the humanitarian gesture.
On his part, Ambassador said: “In the midst of the Chinese government’s efforts to combat COVID-19, His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman had a telephonic conversation with President Xi to convey his full support to China in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and directed KSRelief to provide aid to China in a way that contributes to preventing and controlling the pandemic. This consignment of relief materials was like a raindrop to doctors and patients in Wuhan and other regions, which reflects the genuine feelings of the government and people of Saudi Arabia towards the Chinese people,”
His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman also shared his heartfelt sorrow due to the outbreak of coronavirus with President Xi and the people of China. King Salman offered condolences to the families of the deceased, wishing the affected a speedy recovery. King Salman pointed out Saudi Arabia’s confidence in the Chinese government’s capability to deal with impacts COVID-19.
Ambassador Weiqing also acknowledged Dr. Al-Rabeeah and the KSRelief staff saying: “This conveys their love to the hearts of the Chinese people, who will not forget Saudi Arabia’s aid to China after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008.” He also emphasized that public health security in the era of globalization is related to the common destiny of all humanity, and the strong measures China is taking not only to protect the lives and health of the Chinese people but also contribute to ensuring health in the world as a whole. “Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the current chair of the G20 Summit, has made preserving planet earth as one of the main themes of the summit and that international solidarity is the best way to face the challenges of viral diseases and isolate them,” Weiqing said while pointing out that China and Saudi Arabia highlighted the spirit of solidarity with the world during disasters and diseases in previous years.
President Xi affirmed that China has sufficient experience at the moment to deal with COVID-19 and also to address its impacts, expressing thanks to His Royal Highness & Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his keenness and strong support for combating coronavirus. President Xi said the matter reflects a depth of relations between the two countries.
KSRelief Centre is overseeing the provision of assistance. Early March, a new batch of aid was sent to Wuhan that included 500 injection pumps, 277 monitors, 200 infusion pumps, 89 defibrillators, 60 ultrasound machines, 20 noninvasive ventilators, and 3 dialysis devices. The aid package has been dispatched on the orders of His Royal Highness and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.