Swiss Consul General Martin Maier (third, right) hands over the aid to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Trường Sơn. — Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Switzerland in Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — Switzerland has delivered 30 ventilators, 500,000 sets of antigen tests and 280,000 medical facemasks to support Việt Nam in its efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The medical supplies, worth around US$5.5 million (VNĐ126 billion), arrived at HCM City’s Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport on Friday.

The humanitarian aid, transported from Zurich to HCM City by special flight of Swiss airline Edelweiss, has been received by Swiss Consul General Martin Maier for direct hand over to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Trường Sơn.

"We are in a difficult time, and the COVID-19 pandemic can only be repelled via cooperation of all countries," the Swiss diplomat said at the reception, adding that he's glad for the Vietnamese Government's robust and strong responses to the pandemic.

The support was meaningful especially as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, he noted.

Deputy health minister Sơn conveyed his gratitude to the Swiss Government and people for the early deployment of the aid.

The Vietnamese health ministry pledged to distribute the valuable medical support to localities and units based on their needs and urgency.

The aid would first be moved to the health ministry's field storage set up at Chợ Rẫy Hospital in HCM City before distribution.

Switzerland stands with Việt Nam and other countries in Asia in the common fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Swiss medical assistance has also been delivered to Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India. — VNS