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JUBA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) – China and South Sudan on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see Beijing continue to deploy medical teams to the East African nation for another five years.
The memorandum of understanding, signed by the Ministry of Health and the Chinese Embassy in Juba, runs from 2021 to 2026 and seeks to boost cooperation between the Anhui Medical University of China and South Sudan’s main referral hospital, the Juba Teaching Hospital, through knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Mayen Achiek Machut, undersecretary of the South Sudan Ministry of Health, said the extension of health cooperation indicates strong relations between the two countries.
“Having this agreement is a reminder that we are having lasting cooperation and friendship with the People’s Republic of China and our counterparts on the medical team,” Machut said.
China has sent eight medical teams to South Sudan since 2013, and the doctors are tasked with providing free medical services in the world’s youngest nation.
Machut thanked Chinese doctors for providing health services to the people of South Sudan, adding that China has contributed greatly to the development of South Sudan’s health sector.
“You have always been there for us and we are here to thank you and celebrate our cooperation by renewing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in health,” said Machut. “We will continue to work together.”
Meanwhile, the eighth group of China’s medical team in South Sudan also donated medical equipment to Juba Teaching Hospital on Friday to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation consisted of five fans and their accessories.
Hua Ning, China’s ambassador to South Sudan, said the latest donation is the sixth anti-COVID-19 aid provided by the Chinese government to South Sudan.
“We hope that the new donation will further consolidate and boost South Sudan’s ability to fight the (COVID) pandemic,” Hua said.
Hua said China is committed to helping South Sudan overcome the challenges facing its health sector.
“We always regard health care as a top priority of South Sudan-China cooperation because it involves the fundamental interests and benefits of the people of South Sudan,” he said.
“We also hope that with the support of China and other members of the international community, the health sector here will continue to develop and benefit the people of South Sudan,” the Chinese envoy said. Final product
