China donated 50 ambulances to Ukraine
The Chinese government donated 50 ambulance cars to Ukraine, the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine reported. The agreement was signed on Friday between Minister Stepan Kubiv and China's Ambassador, Du Wei.
"According to the intergovernmental agreement, Ukraine will receive 50 ambulances, fully outfitted with special medical equipment worth 25 million yuan [more than $ 3.7 million] in total," the report noted.
The cars will be delivered to Ukraine before the end of 2016.
In 2009, the Ukrainian government under Yulia Tymoshenko purchased 1,000 "first aid" cars through Opel Combo, and the Yanukovych regime initiated a criminal case against the former Prime Minister for that purchase. In late 2013, the government, under Mykola Azarov, offered a large contract for the purchase of ambulances, which was seen as scandalous as well. A property conflict arose between the Research & Production Association (PRACTIKA), the supplier, and Peugeot, the producer, resulting in a potential delivery failure.
In the summer of 2016, Kyiv City State Administration made a large medical car purchase. 100 brand new Ford Fiestas (Euro 5+) were purchased for medical institutions in the capital.