- Gesture is step to addressing withdrawn funding to health
MATHEWS MALAZIKA
Lusaka
CHINA has donated 5,000 HIV test kits for Lusaka Province as a first step to helping Zambia address the recent funding cut to the health sector by the United States.
The donation was made yesterday by Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Zambia minister-counsellor Wang Sheng.
And Minister of Health Elijah Muchima says health co-operation is cardinal as it is the cornerstone of socio-economic development.
Dr Muchima said Zambia is committed to openness to harmonise drug registration standards with international best practices.
“It is also important to note that pharmaceuticals play a vital role in ensuring public health, disease control and attainment of universal health coverage. Robust healthcare systems cannot exist without strong pharmaceutical backbones,” he said.
The minister said this in a speech reach for him by the ministry’s director clinical care and diagnostic services, Lisulo Walubita.
Dr Muchima said the two countries’ co-operation can bring real progress to equitable access to essential medicines.
He said the ministry sees a great opportunity in partnering with
Sichuan-based pharmaceutical firms to scale up local manufacturing, share expertise, and co-develop solutions tailored to African health challenges.
The minister proposed for the formation of a Zambia-Sichuan health industry working group.
Mr Wang said the donation is a testament of China’s commitment to supporting Africa and Zambia in particular to improve its medical services.
He said the Chinese community in Zambia has continued to collaborate with the Zambian government and its people to improve the health sector.
Mr Wang also said traditional Chinese medicine has gained world-wide recognition in disease prevention and treatment.
And Government has taken interest in China’s traditional medicine that can treat HIV/AIDS and high blood pressure (BP).
Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata says the New Dawn administration is determined to share insights on traditional medicine, which has and continues to play an important role in Zambian society as a supplement to conventional medicines.
She said this when a Chinese delegation led by Sichuan Province vice-governor Yang Xingping met her at her office yesterday.
Ms Mulyata said with the establishment of the twinning programme between Lusaka and Sichuan Province, the two countries’ relationship will continue to strengthen, with expected increase in trade and investment opportunities.
Ms Mulyata pledged her office’s support to China’s investment in Lusaka Province.
And Mr Yang said China’s traditional medicines have proved to be effective in the treatment of HIV and high blood pressure.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to providing medical support to Zambia following the United States’ decision to cut K1.4 billion support to the health sector.
Mr Yang further called on Zambia to consider establishing a consulate in Sichuan Province for easy communication.
“Currently, 23 countries have been approved to establish consulates in Sichuan, but no African country has yet established a consulate there. We, therefore, implore Zambia to become the first African country to establish a consulate in Sichuan Province,” he said.
He said economic and trade cooperation has achieved remarkable results, highlighting that last year, the total import and export volume between Sichuan and Zambia reached 379 million Chinese Yuan Renminbi (about US$52 million).