Nov 04, 2009 (BBC Monitoring via COMTEX) -- [Passage omitted] In support of the
national malaria prevention programme, and to bring malaria control to zero, to
boost the country's socio-economic development, the Republic of China has
presented a quantity of antimalaria laboratory equipment and drugs worth three
million yuan [approximately 440,009 US dollars] to the administration of the
Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
The equipment, presented by the Chinese ambassador to Ghana, Mr Yu Wenzhe, is to
expedite research on the country's Malaria-Eradication Project and Control
Programme.
In his address, Mr Wenzhe said malaria was a common and major disease in Africa,
hence, the need for efforts by government to eradicate it.
He indicated that a nine-member medical team from China is to work with health
officials at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for two years adding that the
programme will also involve an exchange programme between Ghanaian and Chinese
students to study medical programmes on scholarship.
In a speech read on his behalf, the deputy minister of health, Dr Benjamin
Kumbour, stated that the request of China's arrangement for the Anti-malaria
Research Centre was reviewed to commence on 27 October, 2009, pending the
completion of the Teshie Hospital [southern Accra] where the centre was
scheduled to be established.
He expressed gratitude to the republic of China and suggested the expansion of
other facilities and research centres to integrate existing response to the
Malaria-Eradication Project and Control Programme in Ghana.
Receiving the equipment, the chief executive officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching
Hospital, Prof Nii Otu Nartey, raised concern about the large number of children
brought to the hospital for malaria treatment. He therefore appealed to health
workers to step up efforts in eradicating the disease.
Source: Daily Graphic, Accra, in English 4 Nov 09
BBC Mon AF1 AFacc AS1 AsPol 041109/noc
BBC Monitoring. Copyright BBC.
KEYWORD: CHINA
GHANA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH
INTERNATIONAL
POLITICAL
