China and Ethiopia have a long history of cooperation in economic and social fields over the past 45 years. The health sector is among the priority areas of cooperation between the two countries. Accordingly, the government of China constructed Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital in 2014 following the historical victory of athlete Tirunesh Dibaba who won the first gold medal for Africa during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After the hospital went operational, China has continued helping the hospital with medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and deploying voluntary doctors. As part of the continuous support, the Government of China has made similar support last week.
Liu Yu, Minister Counselor for Economic Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia said for the past 45 years, the Chinese medical team has been working in four cities of Ethiopia and contributing to the development of Ethiopia’s public health sector.
According to her, as per the agreement reached between the two governments on January 28 of 2019 China has provided medical equipment and pharmaceuticals worth 507,524 RMB.
She also added, over the years, Chinese medical teams have been working in Ethiopian cities and bringing the acceleration of public health development and by far 359 volunteers have been here to serve the Ethiopian people.
She said, one of the volunteer Chinese Dr. Mej Gengnian, the first Chinese medical team leader died in a car accident in 1975 in Jimma while he was serving the local community in Jimma town.
On his part, Dr. Jibril Abas, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tirunesh Beijing Hospital on his part said the donated medical equipment and pharmaceuticals are used for the trauma, maternal and child health, and pathology treatment in the hospitals.
The Chinese government has been sending medical equipment and doctors for the last five years for the hospital and the medicals are required highly in the hospital and medical given used for the treatment of trauma patients and orthopedics.
Members of the 21st Chinese medical team are providing services in specific areas and can contribute to the improvement of medical skills, medical training and medical care for hospitals.
The 16 members of the medical teams are going to engage in the areas of cardiology, orthopedic surgery, dental surgery, neurosurgery and neurology in the hospital, he noted.
He added the team has arranged a seminar at the trauma center so that they can transfer skills for Ethiopian colleagues.
The number of patients dying in the transit has decreased and the patient that is referred to the hospital has decreased tremendously he said.
We need to expand hospitals and equipment because the number of peoples that need treatment is increasing from time to time while medical skills are improving and found in a good manner.”
Moreover, the Chinese government is supporting the hospitals in the areas of long term training, and 25 Ethiopian sides to travel in July and expected to get high skills and knowledge exchange with the Chinese counterpart it was learned.
He added, the Chinese government is also supporting hospitals by training Ethiopian medical doctors and the Chinese traditional medical treatment services have been providing the Chinese doctor in the hospital.
On the other hand, Dr. Yohannes Chala Head of Addis Ababa Health Bureau said the Chinese medical team will provide services free of charge which includes Chinese traditional medicine like acupuncture.
On the other hand, the Chinese 21st medical team Wang Chunyu (MD) said it has been 45 years back the first Chinese medical team was dispatched to Ethiopia in 1974. And also to enhance the two sister countries’ relations the Chinese government has granted medical apparatus and pharmaceuticals worth more than half-million Yuan.
“We believe that the goods that were given improve the hospital’s medical care and save many patients lives. And also contributes to the improvement of medical skills, an initiative of medical care, medical training and the management of Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital.”
Solomon came to the hospital to receive the nerve patient treatment through the dry injection method, a typical Chinese traditional medicine. He stays in the hospital for three weeks to recover from his illness. He said he is getting treatment in the hospital at an affordable cost. He also suggests such types of services be expanded in other hospitals.
The Ethiopian Herald July 26/2019
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
