Seven Singapore companies donated ventilators and thermal imaging scanners to China's Ministry of Health to aid the fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Beijing Friday.
The donation worth 1.6 million Singapore dollars (US$940,000) came from Temasek Holdings, co-sponsors Singapore Airlines, DBS Bank, Keppel Corp., SembCorp Industries, Capitaland and PSA Corp.
Ho Ching, executive director of Temasek Holdings, said Friday at the donation ceremony that the battle against SARS was common to Asia and the world. Singapore businesses supported China's efforts in the battle and were ready to strengthen economic exchanges with the Chinese side to minimize the impact of SARS on the economy.
Ho said the donated equipment comprised 20 ventilators for use in hospitals and two thermal imaging scanners for use by the civil aviation sector.
Gao Qiang, executive vice-minister of health, expressed his appreciation for the help, saying the equipment would be used in Beijing, Shanghai and other places as soon as possible.
Gao said SARS in China had shown signs of decreasing recently, but that did not mean the end of SARS prevention. The Chinese government would take further steps to control the epidemic.
Gao said China hoped to continue cooperation and communications with Singapore in various areas, especially economically.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2003)
