The unofficial handing over of medical supplies, consisting of 102 ventilators and 1.1 million SARS-COV Antigen Test Kits, from the Government of the Swiss Confederation to the Royal Thai Government took place on 29 July 2021 at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Mrs. Helene Budliger Artieda, Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand, and Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, presided over the event as representatives of their respective governments.
According to a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the donation of medical supplies is regarded as Switzerland’s policy to support other countries in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, the Swiss Government donated surplus COVID-19 vaccines to the Covax program and also donated medical supplies to Indonesia.
The donation for Thailand reflects the 90 years of friendly diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Swiss Confederation. It is also part of the official visit to Thailand of Mr. Ignazio Cassis, Vice President and Head of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, on 1-3 August 2021.
The Vice President and Head of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and attend bilateral meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul, and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa.
The official handing over ceremony of the medical supplies will take place on 2 August 2021 at 15.30 hr. at Government House.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department