NANJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- A hospital in the city of Nantong, eastern China's Jiangsu Province, along with many other hospitals in China, has donated medical supplies worth over 310,000 yuan (about 43,850 U.S. dollars) to support Italy in its fight against the coronavirus.
The supplies, including medical masks and protective suits, have been sent to the Hospital of Siena University in Italy's Siena, a sister city of Nantong, according to the Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The Nantong Hospital of TCM has been collaborating with the Italian hospital on training programs since 2016 and formed a sister-hospital relationship last year.
Shen Hao was among the first batch of exchange doctors. He spent three months studying at the Hospital of Siena University in 2016. He felt that he had to do something when he learned the news that the Italian hospital was in urgent need of medical supplies.
Shen and his colleagues initiated a donation in their hospital's WeChat group, and surprisingly, more than 200 doctors from over 100 Chinese hospitals joined the donation group.
Nearly 190,000 yuan was raised in the group, and some doctors and hospitals donated medical supplies worth of 40,000 yuan, the hospital in Nantong said, adding that it also donated medical supplies worth of 80,000 yuan.
Shao Rongshi, president of the hospital, specially formulated TCM prescriptions and organized medics to make 4,000 TCM sachets for the Hospital of Siena University and local residents in Siena.
The Chinese hospital said they will also set up a medical team to assist their Italian sister hospital.
Valtere Giovannini, president of the Hospital of Siena University, recorded a video clip to express his gratitude to his Chinese friends.
"In such a difficult time, Chinese people have offered great help to Italians. Chinese experts have shared valuable experience. I believe we will win the fight against the coronavirus together," Giovannini said in the video.
