Turkey has sent a container of medical supplies to assist in the fight against Covid-19 in South Africa, which currently has 5 647 cases and 103 deaths as of Thursday.

"Earlier this week, the Turkish Co-operation and Co-ordination Agency distributed 10 000 N95 medical masks at Kalafong Hospital in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

Included in the recent aid package are PPE [personal protective equipment] and vital equipment as well as customised disinfectant booths produced specifically for South Africa," the Turkish Embassy said in a statement on Thursday.

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saluted South Africa for its effective measures in curbing and dealing with the global pandemic.

"Expressing his solidarity, Erdogan offered his condolences to the bereaved families and their relatives, and his best wishes to the people of South Africa," Turkish Ambassador to South Africa Elif Comoglu Ulgen said.

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Erdogan also expressed concern about predictions indicating the pandemic might have a more profound impact in Africa, stating Turkey would stand by the continent.

'Fight against the pandemic'

"In the face of this situation, Turkey will always stand by Africa in the determined fight against the pandemic in terms of experience sharing and medical supplies.

"I am certain that the effective measures you have taken since the beginning of the pandemic will contribute towards overcoming this crisis with the least possible loss," he said.

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Ulgen praised South Africa for doing its best to combat Covid-19, saying it was one of the countries that implemented the fastest and most effective measures to combat the virus.

"Turkey, showing a spirit of solidarity and co-operation, has become the third biggest supplier of medical aid in the world and was already the world's biggest provider of humanitarian aid," she said.