Ambassador Calvin Ho handed over 30 sets of oxygen concentrators on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) on August 10, 2021. These items were received by Cuthbert Knights, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Environment.

Some of the equipment that was handed over to the Ministry of Health on behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

In his remarks, Ambassador Ho mentioned this donation from Taiwan followed previous donations of ventilators, medical masks, protective gowns and other medical supplies etc. to the government and civil society of SVG since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. In addition, the Embassy of ROC (Taiwan) has also made several donations of medical resources to SVG civil society such as Bequia Hospital and Nurses Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Ambassador Ho said he was impressed with the resilience shown by Vincentians when facing the strike by the volcanic eruption of La Soufrière; he believed the hardship would end someday and reaffirmed that Taiwan would stand firmly with SVG to address the global pandemic and natural disaster issues. Ambassador Ho also stressed his appreciation for the support of SVG to Taiwan in participating international organizations and events.

Permanent Secretary Knights expressed his appreciation for the support from the embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) by continuously providing critical equipment and medical supplies at the time of urgent need. He said the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Environment would make the best use of the 30 sets of oxygen concentrators for the welfare of the people and reiterated the gratitude on behalf of the government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the government and people of Republic of China (Taiwan) for their solidarity and friendship.

This donation ceremony is part of the Embassy’s series events in celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and SVG. As both countries continue working closely in all areas of mutual cooperation, the donation symbolized the partnership between the two countries.

APOLOGY: When SEARCHLIGHT first reported on this donation in our edition of Friday, August 13, 2021, we incorrectly identified the donor of the equipment. We apologize for any confusion or consternation that our error may have caused.