Positive Impact Of China-Africa Health Cooperation Discussed At Forum

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong on Friday met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, Xinhua reports (8/16). Speaking at the Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development, “Sidibé emphasized the enormous positive impact of stronger China-Africa cooperation for health,” UNAIDS notes in an article on its webpage (8/16). “‘China and Africa have a long history of cooperation on health, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of Chinese medical teams being sent to Africa,’ [Sidibé said],” Xinhua writes in a separate article, adding, “The UNAIDS chief lauded China’s experience, technical know-how and competitiveness in the health sector, saying it could boost progress in Africa. China could work with Africa to develop simple, low-cost and easy-to-use tools and medical equipment, and promote the African pharmaceutical industry, he said” (Wu/Chen, 8/16).

“Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China will continue to promote cooperation with African countries on health and development,” the news service states in another article. “China will continue to send medical teams and cataract surgeons to Africa and will deepen cooperation and health personnel training in maternal and child health care, Xi said,” the news service continues (8/16). China Daily reports, “China will also help train 3,000 African doctors, nurses, public health workers and health care managers through a plan to nurture African professionals in the industry” (Wang/Li, 8/17). In a China Daily opinion piece, Sidibé writes, “The commitment by Chinese leaders, and more than 30 ministers of health from African countries, representatives of businesses, civil society and academics, demonstrates that working together to ensure universal access to health care sets a new stage for South-South cooperation” (8/16). In related news, Xinhua examines a roundtable discussion at the event, hosted by the GAVI Alliance, which highlighted the lessons that can be learned from China’s hepatitis B vaccination program (Tian, 8/17).

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