A representative of Vietnamese delegation receives a batch of medicine to treat COVID-19 patients from Cuban health experts led by Cuban Ambassador to Việt Nam Lianys Torres Rivera. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A ceremony was held in Hà Nội on Wednesday to receive a batch of medicine from Cuba to help Việt Nam fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The medicine, interferon Alfa 2B produced by Cuba, is especially important in treating the serious COVID-19 cases.

The whole batch was immediately transferred to Đà Nẵng and Quảng Nam Province, the two COVID-19 hot spots in Việt Nam.

A group of Cuban health experts have also been sent to Việt Nam to support the fight against coronavirus.

Even though they were quarantined immediately on arrival, the experts went straight to work sharing knowledge with Vietnamese health staff.

After the quarantine period, the team will go into the centre of the pandemic outbreak to support Vietnamese doctors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant Nguyễn Chí Vịnh, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of National Defence, expressed his gratitude to the Cuban people for their special sentiment to Việt Nam, especially in this difficult time.

He said this gesture is an example of the bilateral solidarity and friendship between the two countries.

The official also said he hopes for coordination from offices and units to implement cooperation activities with Cuba in the future.

Cuban Ambassador to Việt Nam Lianys Torres Rivera said the handover of the medicine to boosts bilateral cooperation in the medical and pharmaceutical fields and contributes to the bilateral relations of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

She cited the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients who received treatment with this drug has decreased to only 0.9 per cent by the end of this April.

Currently, more than 80 countries have expressed their desire to buy this drug from Cuba.

The diplomat expressed her hope the two sides will continue their efforts to maintain and intensify the fine traditional relations, showing to the world the strength of solidarity and cooperation in effectively fighting the common challenges of humankind. — VNS