Chinese govt donates anti-malaria drugs to Cross River

The Chinese government has donated anti-malaria medical commodities worth millions of naira to the government of Cross River State as part of its efforts to support the fight against malaria.

The donation, valued at Thirty-seven Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N37,900,000), was presented on Wednesday by representatives of China’s Consular General in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, in Calabar.

Receiving the medical supplies on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for their vital support in combating malaria in the state.

Dr Ayuk also thanked China for sponsoring health sector officials on an all-expense-paid training programme in China, aimed at enhancing the capacity of the state’s human resources in healthcare.

He further assured that “the partnership with the Chinese government is going to be sustained,” reaffirming the state’s commitment to continued collaboration.

“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 utilised according to needs.

“We must ensure that we estimate what we are going to use and when to use them. Modalities for those who 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 the Cross River government can only be thankful by ensuring that these drugs are fully utilised,” the commissioner added.

Speaking on the significant progress 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 organisations. 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 his remarks, Mr Fan Rizen, who represented the Chinese Consular General in Lagos, described the gesture as a new level of strategic partnership between Nigeria and China.

Mr Rizen noted that the donations were just one part of more to come, adding that the second part will come in about one month’s time.

He notified us that the decision to support 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 milligrammes injection and D-Artep 640 milligrammes tablets are fast and 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 homework and get ready and prepared,” he stated.

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.

In a goodwill message, the Director General of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivian Mesembe Otu, appreciated the Chinese government for its anti-malaria drug support and sponsorship in training on laboratory technologies and malaria drug usage.

The Director General, who advocated for more areas of mutually beneficial partnerships, appealed for more collaborations and support from the Chinese government to improve the health sector of the state.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, Special Adviser on Nursing Education and Training, Mrs. Uduak Spencer Efem, Director General, Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Sir Godwin Iyala, and the Director General, State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr Charles Iwara, spoke glowingly of the Chinese Government’s contribution to supporting African countries, especially in the area of health, while expressing optimism that the drug donation will be the beginning of better things to come between the two entities.

Highpoints of the event were the symbolic presentation of drugs to the state government, represented by the commissioner, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, as well as Efik traditional dressing items offered to the Consular General by the DG Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu.

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