China, Malawi sign deal on medical camps
Ministry of Health has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Government for Chinese medical specialists to conduct medical camps in Malawi.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Friday, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said the agreement marks a significant step towards improving healthcare services and building the capacity of local medical professionals in the country.
The minister observed that human capital development is one of the enablers of the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) and also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number three which promotes good health and well-being, hence the collaboration is important for Malawi.
Said Chiponda: “We already have a shortage of doctors, so I would rather have your teams come to Malawi because we know that as they are treating the patients, they will at the same time be building our local capacity.”
On his part, Chinese Ambassador Long Zhou described the collaboration as a win-win situation as they also learn from Malawi’s local doctors.
He said: “The development of human capital is a critical part of Malawi 2063 therefore, they will continue to make such contributions.”
The Chinese Government has been sending medical teams to Malawi since 2008.
The teams have offered services in a number of fields such as internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics, anaesthesiology and radiology, among others, at Kamuzu Central Hospital and Mzuzu Central Hospital.
