LILONGWE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The government of China on Friday donated assorted medical equipment kits to three of Malawi's major hospitals, and councils of the country's three major cities, to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

The donation ceremony took place at the Chinese embassy in the capital, Lilongwe, and was given to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, situated in the country's commercial city of Blantyre, Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe and Mzuzu Central Hospital in the northern city of Mzuzu, and councils of the three cities.

Each of the three central hospitals will get 10,000 disposable medical masks, 7,000 surgical masks, 300 N95 masks, 300 sets of protective suits and goggles, 1,000 pairs of gloves and 20 thermometers while each of the three city's councils will get 2,000 disposable medical masks and 2 infrared thermometers.

Wang Xiusheng, representative from the Chinese Embassy in Malawi, handed over the donation, describing it as a symbol of China's commitment to helping the rest of the world in general, and Malawi in particular, to contain the spread of the pandemic.

He said,"With our future linked together, countries can only overcome the challenge by standing in solidarity."

Director of Kamuzu Central Hospital, the country's main hospital in the capital Lilongwe, Jonathan Ngoma, who received the donation, appreciated the gesture, saying China has always been "a committed friend" to Malawi.

He said the commitment is evident through the continued support to the country.

Ngoma assured the Chinese government that the donated items will be put to the intended use and that the most vulnerable would be the first priority.

Malawi has recorded 33 cases of COVID-19 with 3 deaths and 4 recovery cases. Enditem