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The Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management, Mrs. Aissa Laouan Wandarama, acting as interim Minister of Public Health, chaired, on Monday, August 26, 2024, the ceremony for receiving a Chinese donation of medical equipment and medicines for the General Reference Hospital. This donation, worth approximately 52,836,200 FCFA, aims to ensure better health care for the population, strengthen the capacities of the various targeted services, facilitate access to quality health care and reiterate the support of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in improving the living conditions of the Nigerien population.
Upon receiving this donation, the Acting Minister of Public Health indicated that this donation once again marks the People’s Republic of China’s surge of solidarity with the Nigerien population. “This donation is a guarantee of fruitful cooperation between our two countries and demonstrates our shared commitment to improving the living conditions of our respective populations and strengthening the bonds of friendship that unite our two peoples,” she said, recalling the People’s Republic of China’s continued support since 1976. “China has always been alongside the General Reference Hospital since its creation through numerous achievements, thus reflecting China’s unwavering determination to participate in the efforts undertaken by the Government to improve the health of the Nigerien population,” added Ms. Aissa Laouan Wandarama. Subsequently, the Minister reassured the Chinese delegation that the materials received will be used wisely.
For his part, Wang Weiping, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Organization Department of the CPC Guangxi Committee, recalled the long-standing health cooperation between China and Niger since 1976 and the efforts made by China for 48 years to support and improve the health sector. “To date, 756 Chinese health workers have been sent to Niger through 24 medical teams to treat a total of more than 2,000,000 Nigerien patients. We have trained about 40,000 local workers. Our teams have made considerable contributions to the cause of health development and the improvement of the health of the Nigerien people,” Wang Weiping stressed. He also explained the clauses governing the Sino-Nigerian partnership and the special place that China gives to the health sector and the well-being of the population through the provision of the best Chinese specialists working in the largest hospitals. “A total of 38 specialists have been sent to assist the General Reference Hospital, 112 interventional neurology and cardiology operations have been performed, and 8 Nigerien health workers have received reinforcement training in China,” he said. This year, he continued, the two partner hospitals will develop a new partnership regarding the cardiology and neurology department. “The Guangxi region has also sent 6 specialists for studies, research and medical consultations to develop a new era in the health sector of the two peoples. The China-Niger health cooperation has a solid foundation and tomorrow will be even better. We hope, through concerted efforts, to strengthen pragmatic cooperation and develop a new chapter in this long friendship,” he explained.
As for the Director General of the General Reference Hospital, Pr. Daou Mamane, he recalled the commitment of the two countries to enhance bilateral cooperation and offer quality services in order to reduce medical evacuations abroad. He recalled China’s constant support to the HGR through concrete actions such as the construction of the hospital, support in personnel, materials, equipment, medicines and consumables. Pr. Daou Mamane expressed his gratitude to the Chinese authorities for the actions carried out. “We thank the Government of Niger and the People’s Republic of China for all the efforts made in the context of improving the health of the population of Niger,” he added.
Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Niger, Mr. Han Kangmin explained that this delegation came to Niger to reiterate China’s support and strengthen cooperation between the two countries in order to give new impetus to the Sino-Nigerian friendship. “No matter how the international situation changes, China and Niger are always friends, brothers and sincere partners. China supports Niger in its determination to safeguard its sovereignty and explore its development path suited to its national realities,” he said.
At the end of the various interventions, the stakeholders in this handover ceremony discussed several important points in relation to the targeted services, the difficulties encountered, the urgent needs and the perspectives. A series of global presentations of the hospital, the Cardiology Department and the Orthopedics-Traumatology Department were successively made by the managers in order to allow the Chinese delegation to become aware of the realities and expectations of the General Reference Hospital.
Massaouda A. Ibrahim (ONEP)
