Congo Town – The Government of Liberia and the People Republic of China on Friday signed a Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism in Congo Town. The cooperation agreement is to help boost the health structure in the Republic of Liberia.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Charge d’Affairs at the Chinease Embassy H.E. Xu Kun said, China’s President Xi Jinping announced, on 18th May, 2020 at the Virtual Event of Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly, noted that China would establish a cooperation mechanism for its hospitals to pair up with 30 African hospitals to help the continent ramp up its disease preparedness and control capacity.
After that event, the departments of health and hospitals from both sides have made great efforts to explore new cooperation in the area of health, of which the signing ceremony of agreement on China-Liberia paired hospital cooperation mechanism, noting worth celebrating.
The Charge d’Affairs noted that the fact that both China and Liberia are growing nations is a well-known fact. In many different areas, they deal with the same difficulties. He added that poor public healthcare and fundamental medical services caused disease among the Chinese population. As a result, China have a great deal of compassion for Liberians and what they have endured.
Charge d’Affairs Xu Kun said because Liberia and China are good brothers and partners, China has always been concerned for the health and safety of the Liberian people and has always handled their problems as if they were their own. Adding that the majority of Chinese citizens now lead better lives.
Giving statistics, the Charge d’Affairs continued that the latest data shows that the average life expectancy of Chinese people has risen from 35 years in 1949, the year of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, to 78.2 years in 2021. As the saying goes that “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full bloom bring spring to the garden. China would like to share her experience with the Liberian people and provide assistance within their own capacity so that they can help Liberians to pursue a better life.”
The project signed on Friday, March 3, 2023, is a part of the Chinese Aid Projects in Liberia. To my understanding, the total budget of “Chinese HeiLongjiang Provincial Hospital and Liberian JFK Medical Center Internal Cardiovascular Medicine Dept. Cooperative Project” is up to one million USD.
The project will help JFK hospital to build an independent medical team comprised with 12 hospital beds, 4 cardiologists and 4 professional nurses, and will effectively improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment to the cardiovascular diseases as well as the ability to rescue emergency and severe cases.
H.E. Xu Kun announced that China will again donate a batch of aid materials to the JFK hospital including 2 respirators, 16 oxygen masks, 240 boxes of anti-malarial drugs and 1200 surgical masks. Noting that it will help Liberians to better address the challenges from the disease.
In a related development, Charge d’Affairs said in 2022 October, the Communist Party of China (CPC) held its 20th National Congress. A blueprint was drawn for advancing national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. He added that the path will provide great opportunity for development of bilateral relation between Liberia and China.
The cooperation is based on the principal of equality, mutual respect, non-interference of internal affairs and win-win cooperation. It is also in line with the Belt and Road initiative and Pro-Poor Agenda for prosperity and development. H.E. Xu Kun mentioned that China will continue to firmly support the development of Liberia’s social and economic development through various means and is ready to join hands with Liberia to jointly build a shared future.
Representing the Republic of Liberia and the Ministry of Health Deputy Minister Norwu Howard thanked the Chinese government through the Chinese embassy for their support to Liberia. She noted that the 12 hospital beds, 4 cardiologists equipment will go a long way to save lives. Adding that the equipment’s will allow Liberians stay in country and get better treatment f a less cost ode then going to other counties that will be expensive.
Also speaking, Dr. Jerry Brown CEO/General Administrator of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital said the signing ceremony was a historic and joyous one. He noted that the support to the JFK is a holistic one. According to Dr. Brown, the bilateral relationship between the two countries health sector is not only to diagnose diseases but to help build human capacity.
Dr. Brown added that the agreement includes travel to China for nurses and doctors training. Promising to work with the Chinese health team, he noted that the items presented will be well taken care of for the benefit of Liberians.
The Chinese Medical Team to Liberia promised to work with the JFK. Dr. Wang Liang, head of the Chinese Medical Team to Liberian sad, he and his team will work closely with Dr. Brown and his team for the success of the project.
