The Society of Jesus in Rome and the Jesuits of Canada and the United States have donated medical supplies to two COVID-19 designated hospitals in Hubei province.
The General Curia sent 1,800 surgical N95 masks to Jingzhou No 1 People′s Hospital, while the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States (JCCU) gave 150 medical protective suits to Jingzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Both donations were coordinated and arranged by The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC), the Jesuit education centre and intellectual hub operating in mainland China since 1998.
Jesuit Superior General Fr Arturo Sosa SJ approved the donation of the masks in February and TBC coordinated a match donation for medical protective suits from JCCU.
“The Society of Jesus is a Society of solidarity. This small gesture is a symbol of that wide and deep solidarity,” said Fr José Magadia SJ, General Counsellor and Regional Assistant for Asia Pacific.
“We are all part of one human family, no matter where we’re from. The Jesuits of Canada and the United States are honoured to stand in solidarity with the people of China at this challenging time. Our prayers and hopes are with you,” said JCCU President Fr Timothy P Kesicki SJ.
The donations come at a time of greater demand for a variety of medical supplies. Though not prominently appearing in international media, Jingzhou city, located about 220 kilometres (137 miles) west of Wuhan, has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The disease has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people and infected over 114,000 globally.
With over a thousand infected in Jingzhou city alone, healthcare workers are grappling with certain medical supplies shortages, particularly in COVID-19 designated hospitals. The sterile medical suits donated by JCCU will be very helpful to the healthcare workers in Jingzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine who come in contact with infectious patients as these suits are used to prevent the spread of infection.
TBC has also been in direct contact with Jingzhou No1 People’s Hospital, confirming the serious need for surgical N95 masks. These masks offer better protection than regular surgical masks and are designed to prevent 95 per cent of small particles from entering the nose and mouth area. TBC ensured the delivery of the masks, which arrived from Canada, to the hospital’s healthcare workers.
“It is our privilege to support your meaningful mission with our humble donation,” said Chinese Jesuit Provincial Fr Stephen Chow SJ to the healthcare workers. He assured them of the Society’s earnest prayers, and told them: “Please stay safe and healthy for your loved ones and your mission.”
TBC Executive Dr Simon Koo expressed his gratitude to the Society for the generous support and for the opportunity to bring together both communities during this difficult time. “TBC is honoured to be the facilitator and platform connecting the Jesuits to mainland China,” he said.
This article was updated on 6 March 2020.