DAR ES SALAAM, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania said on Wednesday it received a consignment of medical materials donated by Chinese business magnate Jack Ma, through his Alibaba Foundation to help the nation in the control and prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ma, founder of Alibaba Group, has donated 100,000 face masks, 20,000 testing kits and 1,000 protective suits.
"Last night we (Tanzania) received a donation of medical materials that will help in our fight against COVID-19. Our gratitude and appreciation to China's Jack Ma," said an official twitter by the Ministry of Health.
The medical materials were ferried to the commercial capital Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines on Tuesday night.
"The supplies represent the Chinese traditional spirit of benevolence. China will provide more in supporting Tanzania's fight against Covid-19," the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania posted on twitter.
On Sunday, Tanzanian President John Magufuli announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to 12, appealing for heightened observance of protective guidelines given by health authorities.
"People should not panic but they should continue observing protective guidelines given by health authorities," he said in his address to the nation televised live by state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation from the capital Dodoma.
"The government is doing all it takes to fight the COVID-19 pandemic," he said, adding that people should not stop working as an excuse for the outbreak of the virus.
Magufuli said eight out of the 12 confirmed cases were Tanzanians and the remaining four cases were foreigners, adding that all but one case came from countries affected by the disease.
