THE Chinese Government envisions Zimbabwe becoming a largest urinary tract endoscopy centre for Sub-Saharan Africa.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
This was said by the Vice Governor of Hunan Province in China Wu Guiying while handing over Urinary Surgical Instrument Donation to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
“Especially, this year marks the fourth year that Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and Parirenyatwa Hospital of Zimbabwe have launched a program of cooperative hospital in urology. In the past four years, we have strengthened cooperation and are committed to establishing the largest urinary tract endoscopy medical center in the sub-Saharan Africa, for boosting this technology in Zimbabwe to an advanced level in Africa and bringing health to Zimbabwe people,” she said.
As early as 1985, Hunan has been sending medical teams at the invitation of Zimbabwe.
“ Over the past 34 years, both sides have increasingly deepened the exchanges and cooperation in health care, serving as a bridge of people-to-people ties between China and Zimbabwe. As for now, Hunan has sent 17 medical aid teams to Zimbabwe with a total of 166 medical workers.
“In recent years, heads of the Ministry of Health of Zimbabwe have visited Hunan many times, and about 100 medical staff members have visited Hunan for further study and exchanges,” she said.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the handover of the medical equipment demonstrates the fruitful bilateral relationship between China and Zimbabwe.
“It is my great pleasure to receive this batch of urology equipment from the Chinese Government. The value and sophistication of the equipment is a clear testimony of how the bilateral relationship between Zimbabwe and China has flourished over time. Indeed, this is not the first batch of medical equipment that we have received from China as a donation.
“ I am very happy that you have supported our largest teaching hospital with the modern medical equipment which will go a long way in achieving better P outcomes. Sometime, this year, we were gathered in this institution equipment and to receive cervical cancer screening and treatment,” he said.
The Minister said they have engaged a specialist Chinese traditional medicine specialist.
“I also understand that the current Chinese team leader is a specialist in traditional medicine. We have seconded him to our Head Office to work closely with our traditional medicine directorate and help us to have a greater appreciation of the administration of traditional Chinese medicine in our country,” he said.
The UZCHS UTP at the PGH last month took delivery of further equipment value in excess of US$400,000.
“This will allow them to Train Urologists, while benefiting the patients, to the extent of being able to perform up to 90percent of Urological procedures using these MAS procedures Laparoscopy , and endoscopic ureteric and renal procedures for all stones by the end of 2019,” said the University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo in a statement.
