Taiwan foreign minister announces medical donations to Eswatini

Taipei, April 26 (CNA) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has announced donations of advanced medical equipment to Eswatini's Mbabane Government Hospital which he said would help enhance the African nation's medical services.

The pledged donations, including a computed tomography scan, fundus cameras, and a patient monitor simulator, will help improve the quality of medical and health services in Eswatini, Lin said on Friday (local time), according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Lin, who was on a visit to the African nation from April 22-26 as President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) envoy, made the announcement during a visit to the Referral and the Emergency Complex of Mbabane Government Hospital.

Lin also said Taipei will continue to help the African ally further enhance its public health system, according to a news release issued by MOFA on Saturday.

In addition to the donations of medical equipment, Taiwan's government also funded the renovation of the referral and emergency complex several years ago.

Meanwhile, Eswatini's Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula thanked Taiwan for its support in developing the country's healthcare system and reaffirmed his backing for Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization, the release said.

According to MOFA, before wrapping up his African trip, Lin attended the 57th birthday celebration of Eswatini King Mswati III, who has ruled the landlocked country since 1986, and a subsequent dinner.

Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, and Eswatini established formal diplomatic ties when the latter became independent in 1968. Eswatini is Taiwan's only African ally.