Healthcare has no borders

Several weeks ago, shortly after COVID-19 had spread in Wuhan, China, the Bethune Medical Development Association and Global Surgery at the University of Toronto sent a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) devices to Wuhan healthcare workers on the frontlines of the pandemic. 

Now, as the COVID-19 virus takes hold in Toronto, Mr. Aihua Li, President of the Bank of China, has personally donated a substantial quantity of PPE to Toronto healthcare workers to thank the city for supporting Chinese caregivers at the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. Hospitals receiving the equipment include Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto General Hospital and Unity Health - St. Michael’s Hospital.

"On behalf of the bank of China, I wish to thank Bethune Medical Development Association and the Department of Global Surgery at the University of Toronto for supporting the people of Wuhan, China during their time of greatest need,” says Mr. Aihua Li. “I hope these supplies will help as your city fights the COVID-19 pandemic."

“This pandemic has shown healthcare does not know borders, politics or socioeconomic class,” says Dr. Rajiv Singal, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and a member of the Bethune Medical Development Association. 

“The COVID-19 situation reinforces the collective need at all levels - local, community, regional, national, and international - to support each other. Promoting good healthcare around the world benefits everyone.”

“The support we’ve received from our community, and now internationally, as we fight COVID-19 has been overwhelming,” says Mitze Mourinho, President, Michael Garron Hospital Foundation. “This donation is a true demonstration of kindness and the fact that we are one global community.”