A view of Huawei’s exhibition stand during the World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen, East China’s Zhejiang Province in October 2019 Photo: Zhang Hongpei/GT

Chinese technology giant, Huawei Technologies, on Thursday donated medical supplies to help Zambia combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

The donation was in the form of Intelligent Temperature Equipment for Access Control.

Anthony Yu, the company's managing director in Zambia said the firm decided to donate the equipment in order to supplement the government's efforts in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

According to him, the equipment donated was meant to be mounted on the entrance where it would automatically detect one's temperature.

Huawei, he said, commiserates with the Zambian government over the spread of the pandemic and commended the government's continued efforts to intensify control and preventive measures.

"As we remain on high alert against COVID-19, we want to help everyone to equally do the same. We are firm believers in technology and we believe in smart solutions too," he said.

Chitalu Chilufya, Minister of Health thanked Huawei for being a strategic partner in strengthening Zambia's health system.

The Zambian minister said Huawei's gesture shows the true friendship with the government, adding that the equipment will help the government intensify the surveillance and further support control measures in the fight against COVID-19.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya said the government was pleased to see a strong private sector that was supplementing the government's efforts in its response to the COVID-19.

"Government also wants to put on record the involvement of the private sector in the fight against coronavirus. We have very good corporate partners from the private sectors who have quickly come on board to support the government like we have seen today," she said.

Zambia has recorded 16 COVID-19 cases.