Zim-Sino health collaboration a success: VP Chiwenga

Staff Reporter

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has praised the cooperation that exists between China and Zimbabwe that has seen the successful fight against the Covid19 pandemic.

Speaking at the 60th Anniversary of China Medical Teams and their annual shift to Zimbabwe, VP Chiwenga commended the close medical cooperation between Zimbabwe and China.

"The health of our people is a priority of the Government and will continue to strengthen our collaboration with China for the mutual benefit of our two nations," said Vice President Chiwenga.

The VP highlighted that, the cooperation mechanism resulted in the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals being chosen to take part in the mechanism of paired hospitals between the National Health Commission of China and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

"It is important to note that these two Hospitals had already established a relationship in 2018 when Hunan Provincial Hospital conducted an early cervical cancer detection program at Parirenyatwa Hospital. This also included the provision of DNA screening equipment and associated consumables.

"Zimbabwe is grateful to the Chinese Government for the assistance it gave in the provision of personal protective equipment and Covid-19 laboratory testing from the very early stages of the pandemic. This gave our country the capacity to contain the spread of the virus and also protect our front line workers and the health system," said Vice President Chiwenga.

Meanwhile, Government continues to strengthen the health systems in the country by providing quality health services and building of health infrastructure. The Government has also been involved in the fight against drug abuse through Hospitals such as Sally Mugabe Psychiatric Unit, Parirenyatwa Psychiatric Unit and other rehabilitation centers which are now offering rehabilitation services.