Local medical personnel receive training from Chinese doctors on Ebola treatment in Monrovia, Liberia, Dec. 3, 2014. . (Xinhua/Yang Guoyu)
LUSAKA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- African countries expect more Chinese support in the health sector as outlined in a declaration reached by health ministers early this month, Zambian Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has said.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Kasonde said the Cape Town Declaration, reached at the 2nd Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development in South Africa, outlines the future cooperation between China and African countries in the health sector.
He said he hoped the cooperation would prioritize drug supply.
"Several other countries (like Zambia) in Africa have experienced shortages (of drugs) from time to time," he said, urging a global meeting on drug supply to developing countries, especially African countries.
African health ministers, during the forum, also expressed concern over Africa's limited emergency response capability in the health sector, citing the outbreak of Ebola disease as an example, and thus asked for China's help.
"Strengthening the health systems in order to be able to cope with emergencies was very much the focus area of the cooperation," Kasonde said.
Chinese doctors treat a suspected Ebola patient in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Feb. 18, 2015. (Xinhua/Hong Jianguo)
Zambia expects its future cooperation with China in the health sector to focus on drug supply and specialist training, he said.
China, Kasonde said, has been a valuable friend as it helped Zambia build its health system at a time when "there was nothing" and it has kept sending medical teams to the country.
China was the first nation to offer supplies and funds after the Ebola disease broke out in West Africa in March, 2014.
Beatrice Yordoldo (front L), the last confirmed Ebola patient in Liberia, is discharged from a Chinese-run hospital in the capital Monrovia, March 5, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Bin)
As of Nov. 21, 2014, China has provided aid worth around 120 million U.S. dollars to the affected countries, becoming one of the biggest donors in the fight against Ebola.
Hundreds of Chinese doctors were sent to the frontline, curing Ebola patients and training local medical personnel.
At present, an Ebola vaccine developed by China is being tested in Sierra Leone, and has so far proved to be safe and effective.
