Africa (Common Wealth) _Over the years, China-Africa Health Cooperation (FOCAC) has been an important aspect of the China-Africa relationship. China’s first medical team was sent to Algeria in 1963, marking the start of the china’s medical assistance to Africa.
Over the last six decades, the dispatch of Chinese medical teams has been one of the most effective cooperation programs involving the biggest number of African countries.
From providing outpatient services and free clinics to medical training and the establishment of specialized hospitals in Africa, groups of Chinese medical workers have worked to benefit local people with their medical expertise and medical ethics, making significant contributions to the development of a China-Africa community of health for all.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters building in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, was finished in January of this year. The modern structure built with Chinese assistance is critical for increasing Africa’s competence in disease prevention, monitoring, and epidemic response.
Over the years, China has conducted public health cooperation projects with Tanzania, the Comoros, and other nations and international organizations to prevent and control malaria, bilharzia, and yellow fever.
In 2014, China sent over 1,000 clinical and public health specialists to West Africa to help battle the deadly Ebola virus. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country dispatched expert teams and temporary pandemic-relief teams to 17 African countries and directed medical support teams in over 40 African countries.
China has actively promoted COVID-19 vaccine collaboration with African countries, thereby increasing vaccine accessibility and cost in Africa through donation and cooperative manufacture.
Tshilidzi Bethuel Munyai, a South African Parliament member, described self-sufficiency in vaccine supply as a cornerstone of Africa’s public health, adding that China has always assisted Africa in achieving this aim.
China assisted 18 African countries in the establishment of 20 facilities in various medical disciplines such as cardiology, critical care medicine, trauma, and endoscopy. The Chinese side had developed paired collaboration mechanisms with 45 hospitals in 40 African nations. China had also trained 20,000 African medical staff. African medical personnel’ capabilities and African countries’ medical systems have been consistently upgraded as a result of combined efforts by both Chinese and African governments.
