HONG KONG (SE): The Society of Jesus donated 1,800 N95 surgical masks to the Jingzhou No 1 People’s Hospital in Jingzhou city, Hubei province, China, according to the website of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.
The donation which was coordinated and arranged by The Beijing Centre for Chinese Studies and approved by Jesuit superior general Father Arturo Sosa SJ.
“The Society of Jesus is a Society of solidarity. This small gesture is a symbol of that wide and deep solidarity,” said Father José Magadia SJ, general counsellor and regional assistant for Asia Pacific.
Jingzhou city is about 220 kilometres west of Wuhan and has been greatly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
With over a thousand people infected in city alone, healthcare workers are grappling with certain medical supplies shortages. The Beijing Centre has been in direct contact with the Jingzhou No1 People’s Hospital and ensured the delivery of the masks, which arrived from Canada, to the hospital’s healthcare workers.
The centre’s executive Dr. Simon Koo said, “(The centre) is honored to be the facilitator and platform connecting the Jesuits to mainland China. We thank the Society for the generous donation and continued support during this challenging time.”
Father Stephen Chow SJ, the Chinese Jesuit Provincial, said, “It is our privilege to support your meaningful mission with our humble donation.”
He assured the healthcare workers of of the society’s earnest prayers and told them: “Please stay safe and healthy for your loved ones and your mission.”
