Chinese and Nigeria officials during the ceremony.
By Kingsley Agim
The Chinese government has opened a new level of strategic partnership between Nigeria and China with the donation of anti-malaria medical commodities worth N37.9 million to the the government of Cross River state .
This gesture which is a bid to support the tate’s efforts in combating malaria, was presented on Wednesday in Calabar by Mr. Fan Rizen, who represented China’s Consular General in Lagos, Mr. .Yan Yuqing.
He described the gesture as a new level of strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, noting that the donations were just one part of more to come as the second part will come in about a month’s time.
He notified that the decision to support with anti-malaria drugs stemmed from the fact that malaria was more typically prevalent in Africa.
The Chinese representative assured that the 61 cartons of Artesunate 120 milligram injection and D-Artep 640 milligram tablets are fast, effective in curing malaria ailment.
“Meanwhile, today we also hear the request or discussion from our people here on ground. So we know specifically what we need next time to do something more efficient, more active, and better.
“Some Chinese investors have already built up factories since that time, even in Calabar. This time around, all the conditions are available for us to bring investors down here to do factories. Yes, everything is ready for them to do more of their homeworks and get ready and prepared,” he s
Another member of the Chinese envoy, Mr. Mark Sino, also assured more support from the Chinese government in furtherance of the partnership between Cross River State and China to enhance the growth and development of the state.
Receiving the medical commodities on behalf of the State Government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, thanked the Chinese government for deeming it necessary to support Cross River in fighting malaria.
Ayuk also appreciated the Chinese government for sponsoring health sector officials on an all-expense paid training to China to further strengthen capacity of human resource in health.
“That partnership with the Chinese government is going to be sustained. That is assurance from the government of this state, he assured.
“So, we are very, very keen on using what they have given us today, the drugs. Thirty-seven million worth of drugs is not a small package. We want to put in our maximum and ensure that those drugs are utilized according to needs. We must ensure that we estimate what we are going to use and when to use them. Modalities for those that are going to benefit from these drugs will be mapped out. We will do an assessment of their needs. We will quantify what they need and not just push drugs there.
“So, there will be a pooling system in which drugs are given to you based on their needs. And we want to assure China that what they have given here will be maximally used. And Cross River government can only be thankful by ensuring that these drugs are fully utilized,” the Commissioner added.
Speaking on the significance the Otu-led administration has made since its emergence, the Health Commissioner posited: “Our Governor has done so much in terms of reviving the partnership between us and technical assistance that is foreign. So much is happening, particularly in the health sector, because of the participation of partners. He has revived and sustained that partnership.
“And today what we are seeing is another manifestation; an example of what we have with WHO, USAID and other international organizations. So, we are not really surprised that China has come on board to help us with what we are seeing. We are so happy and we know that we will continue to reap.
“We have heard and we have seen there is evidence that opportunities are still there to work with China in many other areas, including health. The technology that is going on, that is existing, we want to see how we can embrace it to the very maximum. We want to use it, we want to be trained.”
In a goodwill message, the Director General of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivian Otu, appreciated the Chinese government for its anti-malaria drugs support and sponsorship in trainings on laboratory technologies and malaria drugs usage.
The Director General who advocated for more areas of mutually beneficial partnerships, appealed for more collaborations and supports from the Chinese government to improve the health sector of the state.
Highpoint of the event was the symbolic presentation of drugs to the State Government.
