The City of Cape Town today, 6 April 2022, was the recipient of yet another appreciated and much-needed donation of medical equipment by the Taipei Liaison Office.
Due to a long-standing, continued and cherished partnership between the Office of the Speaker and the Cape Town Taipei Liaison Office, the City of Cape Town today received another donation of much-needed medical equipment.
Since 2012, the City has been a grateful recipient of medical equipment worth hundreds of thousands of rands due to the goodwill of the Taipei Liaison Office, with this newest donation comprising of:
- 172 Adult wheelchairs;
- 60 Steel commodes; and
- 60 Walkers
This donation is also made possible by the Amitofo Care Centre (ACC), a Taiwanese charity organisation, which has distributed medical equipment, medicine and clothing to people in need across Africa, for a number of years.
The ACC was founded by Venerable Huei Li in Taiwan in the early 1990s, also known as the African monk. The idea of the care centre originated from Ven. Huei Li’s compassionate heart and desire to help people in Africa who are battling with terminal illness and those living in extreme poverty.
‘Although this is my first time accepting this donation of medical equipment as Speaker on behalf of the City, I would like to thank Director-General David Lin and the Taipei Liaison Office for their incredible and continued generosity and support.
‘This is a very special working relationship between our two offices and it is my sincerest hope that it will continue for years to come; and I am also excited to see what we can do from our side to assist Director-General Lin and his office.
‘The 292 items donated today will aid in providing comfort to a number of our most vulnerable residents, many of whom have special mobility needs.
‘As a Caring City, whose aim it is to look after the elderly and disabled, these donations will also assist us in again instilling a sense of dignity and autonomy among residents who in the past have not had access to these aids for some time due to long waiting lists at state hospitals.
‘The need for such aids is also so much greater than ever before, given the very many challenges and financial difficulties brought about by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
‘As such, this continued relationship with the City and the Taipei Liaison Office is a testament to the fact that we can make progress possible, together,’ Said Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase.
City councillors who have identified vulnerable residents with special needs and circumstance, and who are in dire need of such aid, may put applications forward to the Office of the Mayor, who will consider them. The items are then distributed via Councillor Support.