A Path to Health

　　Botswana’s Ambassador to China, Sasara Chasala George, said that the half century of Chinese medical workersworking in African countries is one of the most typical examples of Sino-African cooperation. A beneficiary of thisaid program, Botswana has been receiving Chinese doctors for decades. It hosted the Fourth International Roundtableon China-Africa Health Collaboration, at which future health cooperation was discussed. To celebrate the 50th anniversaryof the initiation of China’s foreign medical aid program, Ambassador George sat down with ChinAfrica magazine toshare his views on the program.

　　ChinAfrica: This year marks the 50th anniversaryof China sending its first medical teamto Africa in 1963. How has Botswana benefitedfrom the China-Africa health partnershipin the past 50 years? Please give someexamples.

　　Sasara Chasala George: Let me start ofby congratulatingand commending the Government of thePeople’s Republic of China for its continued supportin assisting and contributing to the developmentof Africa. This assistance emanates from the longstanding relations between China and Africa. Indeed,Botswana has benefited massively from the assistanceand expertise of Chinese medical doctors.

　　Since the commencement of cooperation betweenthe two countries 30 years ago, Botswana hasreceived a total of 318 health workers from China.Recently, in January 2012, another 45 doctors fromChina were recruited by the Ministry of Health toundertake employment at government hospitals inBotswana. I am proud to say without hesitation thatwe do have professional Chinese doctors at our varioushospitals in Botswana, and I am convinced thatthey will transfer their medical expertise to locals.

　　Additionally, from June 27 to July 1, 2011, ateam of ophthalmologists from China successfullyperformed about 200 cataract operations as part ofthe “Hope of Light Cataract Project.” Botswana alsoreceived a donation of ophthalmic equipment andconsumables worth BWP1,492,488 ($172,382) fromChina during the same period.

　　Just recently, in May 2013, through the support ofthe Chongqing Municipal Government, ChongqingJinshan Science and Technology Co. donated medicalequipment worth $500,000 to one of the majorreferral hospitals in Botswana, the Princess MarinaHospital, which is located in the capital. We are veryhappy and grateful for this assistance.

　　What impact does public health have onAfricancountries’ social and economic development?

　　I always regard health asa key component of acountry’s socio-economicdevelopment. A country’seconomic success is highlydriven by the availabilityof healthy human manpower.Needless to say, if thecountry has healthy humanresources to implement initiatives,success is a given.

　　Most African countries,including Botswana, aspire tohave accessible and necessaryhealth infrastructure soas to improve the health offamilies and communities.

　　Public health, however, is stilla challenge for many Africancountries. We therefore needpartners, like China, to assistin this regard. There are stillareas which do not haveaccess to medical facilitieslike clinics and hospitals, letalone health personnel. Africaneeds partners, such asChina, in undertaking joint research in order to seekways to curb, detect and control infectious diseasesin the continent.

　　Health investment is a key ingredient for povertyeradication and economic growth and development,as well as for ensuring positive progresstoward achieving the Millennium Development Goals.Through the coordination of health initiatives, sharingand drawing on other countries’ health developmentexperiences and resources, China-Africa healthcollaboration is bound to achieve positive outcomes.

　　Compared with other countries, what are theunique features of China’s medical assistanceto Botswana?

　　We don’t know about other countries, but the uniquenessof those doctors working in Botswana is thatthey are highly specialized.

　　What I like most about the Chinese aid doctorsis their willingness to work in the remote areasin Botswana. The warm and kind spirit of Chinesedoctors makes it even easier for the locals to freelyinteract with them.

　　Apart from sending medical teams, buildinghospitals and providing medicine and medicalequipment, what other areas of healthcooperation do you think China and Botswanacan enter into?

　　Though the two countries have engaged in mutuallybeneficial cooperation in the health sector, I stronglybelieve that China and Botswana need to vigorouslypursue and undertake joint medical research and arrangemedical and health personnel exchanges. Ibelieve that the transfer of skills and knowledge is keyin enhancing a mutually beneficial relationship.

　　Having student and lecturer exchanges at varioushealth institutions can also assist in enhancing thiscooperation. We also wish to see China’s privatesector invest in health fields in Africa.

　　What are your expectations for thefuture of this health partnership?

　　I believe communication is thekey toevery form of relationship. My expectationis that our collaboration will continue togrow in strength and accrue mutually beneficialoutcomes through joint research.

　　I hope to see more and more youngBatswanans trained as medical doctors inmedical institutions in China. I also wish tosee medical companies from both countries formingjoint ventures in the health sector.

　　The Fourth International Roundtable onChina-Africa Health Collaboration, held inGaborone, Botswana this past May, concludedwith the release of the Gaborone Communiqué.

　　What do you think of the achievements ofthis roundtable?

　　Botswana was privileged to host the Fourth InternationalRoundtable on China-Africa Health Collaboration,which was aimed at facilitating continued dialogueon Africa-China health cooperation, particularlyas this was the very first time that an African countryhad the opportunity to host the roundtable.

　　The objective of hosting the roundtable conferencewas to further pave the way for the sharing ofexperiences and lessons learned, as well as to identifyopportunities for strengthened cooperation in thefuture.

　　The conference managed to successfully comeupwith seven pointers, which I strongly believe shall furtherserve to shape and enhance China-Africa healthcooperation so that it can reach even greater heights.

　　The seven pointers place much emphasisondialogue, which is the key to any type of meaningfuland strategic partnership. The communiqué also emphasizedcapacity building and encouraged Africa’sAssociations of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers andDistributors and the China Chamber of Commerce forthe Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products(CCCMHPIE), to explore areas for joint ventures.I am hopeful that these initiatives shall furtherserve to advance Africa’s development.

　　What are your expectations for the comingMinisterial Forum on China-Africa HealthDevelopment which will be held in Beijing thisAugust?

　　The deliberate move by the ChineseGovernment to devise a strategy aimedat intensifying China-Africa cooperationthrough the FOCAC (Forum on China-AfricaCooperation) framework is a welcomedevelopment.

　　As we approach the upcomingMinisterial Forum on China-Africa HealthDevelopment in August, it is my wish anddesire that the ministers shall consider andimplement the good recommendationsof the Fourth International Roundtableon China Africa Health Collaboration topromote meaningful collaboration rootedon win-win basis.

关注读览天下微信， 100万篇深度好文， 等你来看……