Stuck at her university dormitory since the January 23 Wuhan city lockdown, Papua New Guinea student Ancilla Delai started to worry about getting sufficient protection gear before visiting the local supermarket to stock up.

Ms Delai is a third-year Petroleum Engineering student at the China University of Geosciences based in Wuhan city, the epicentre of the coronavirus.

After a chat with Fijian, Asilika Duaibe on Tuesday night about her concerns, Ms Delai was surprised to find PhD student and Republic of Fiji Military Forces Captain, Eroni Duaibe outside the university dormitory gate the following day.

He had cycled for one-and-a-half hours to drop off masks, hand sanitizers and thermometers.

“I felt emotional to be honest, seeing as he had to travel far outside to come, and there is no one outside. It was emotional for me, and I’m forever grateful to him for his courageous act and also to his wife, Asilika. They have been on the lookout for us here in Wuhan.

“We didn’t request for the items, however, his wife had messaged us the night before and said that he was coming in the morning, but I was troubled.

“I asked how is he going to come because there is no taxi or bus available right now and she said on the bike, and he did. He cycled over, dropped the items chatted for a while and then cycled back.”

Also studying at China University of Geosciences is Masters of Business Administration student Diana Botei.

Grateful for Captain Duaibe’s genuine concern, Ms Delai and Ms Botei were able to step out of the university premises to buy food and supplies.

Ms Delai’s post about Captain Duaibe’s action trended on social media, particularly in PNG Facebook groups and forums.

On Thursday, the World Health Organisation declared that coronavirus was now a global health crisis.

The university’s international student office has issued a strict warning as a result.

All students are to remain within the university premises. Students are only allowed to go to the cafeteria to buy food, Miss Delai said.

Since the lockdown, villages and cities around Wuhan are being sprayed with disinfectant on a daily basis.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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