Nation helping meet global demand for medical supplies

Domestic companies working round the clock to ensure dispatches are stable

As the COVID-19 pandemic hammers a growing number of countries and the world faces a shortage of medical supplies, Chinese drug and medical equipment manufacturers are working round the clock to produce as many products as possible to ensure a stable global medical supply chain.

When the epidemic broke out in China, many medical supply factories, especially those in the hardest-hit Hubei province, were unable to operate given the lockdown by the government to curb the spread of the contagion. As the outbreak in the country has increasingly come under control, plants have resumed operations and sped up their production of critical medical supplies so that surgical masks, protective gowns, ventilators and test kits can be provided not only for China, but also for the rest of the world.

Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui said during a recent news conference that China had already offered emergency assistance to 83 countries and regions and international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the African Union. The assistance included test kits, masks and other medical supplies.

Data from the General Administration of Customs showed that from March 1 to April 4, China had inspected and exported epidemic prevention and control supplies worth 10.2 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), including 3.86 billion masks, 37.52 million protective gowns, 2.41 million infrared thermometers, 16,000 ventilators, 2.84 million test kits and 8.41 million pairs of protective goggles.

In face of the crisis, China is taking advantage of its complete industrial system and maximizing its powerful operational capability, Luo said.