A virtual coronavirus-combating seminar involving participants from Taiwan and across Africa was staged July 6 by Taipei City-based Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and National Taiwan University Hospital.
 
Supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the event detailed the Taiwan Model and core components such as border controls, 14-day quarantines and surgical mask allocations, as well as hospital procedures for curtailing transmission of the virus first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
 
A total of 361 health officials and medical personnel from ally Kingdom of Eswatini and 12 other nations took part. These were Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda.
 
TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang said such seminars demonstrate Taiwan Can Help strengthen Africa’s response to the pandemic. Sharing the country’s experiences in battling the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome is also of great instructional value, he added.
 
Another TAITRA initiative proving useful is the Taiwan Global Anti-COVID-19 Pavilion website. Launched last month, the portal provides in-depth information on the disease while promoting digital and smart medical services for Africa.
 
The event is the latest of 20 held with partners in Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Peru, Thailand and Vietnam. Over 15,000 health officials and medical personnel have participated to date. (YCH-E)
 
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