MANILA, Philippines — Twelve Chinese officials and health professionals arrived in the Philippines on Sunday “to share technical advice on the prevention and control” of the new coronavirus, which first broke out in China’s city of Wuhan in Hubei province in late 2019.
In a tweet, the Department of Foreign Affairs posted a photo of its chief, Secretary Teodoro Boy Locsin Jr., greeting 10 health experts and two officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“Sec @teddyboylocsin welcomed today at NAIA the 10 medical experts and 2 officials from China to share technical advice on the prevention & control of COVID-19 in the country,” read the tweet.
NOW: Appreciation and gratitude for a neighbour’s support to our country’s fight against the pandemic. Sec @teddyboylocsin welcomed today at NAIA the 10 medical experts and 2 officials from China to share technical advice on the prevention & control of COVID-19 in the country pic.twitter.com/DiZqsnlkqQ
— DFA Philippines 🇵🇭 (@DFAPHL) April 5, 2020
In a Saturday virtual presser, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Chinese experts will coordinate with fellow medical experts in hospitals and laboratories in the Philippines on improving infection prevention protocols against COVID-19.
According to Vergeire, the Chinese experts will be exchanging ideas and information medical professionals from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City, Philippine Lung Center in Quezon City, and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.