Senegal health minister lauds China as preferred partner after Beijing forum

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Senegal health minister lauds China as preferred partner after Beijing forum

(Xinhua) 11:40, August 31, 2013

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Senegal's Health Minister Awa Marie Coll Seck says China is a preferred partner after cooperation in the medical sector with the West African country for 40 years.

"China is Senegal's preferred partner. We have worked together on various projects in the health sector," the health minister told Xinhua in an exclusive interview after return from a ministerial meeting of health cooperation between China and Africa.

The cooperation began with the sending of the first Chinese medical mission to Senegal's southern region of Ziguinchor years ago and is being highlighted by the ongoing construction by China of a children's hospital in Diamniadio, about 40 km from Dakar, she noted.

"We are very happy to have this magnificent hospital and we hope that it will be extended so that we can have a section for mothers," the minister said.

China has also constructed Pikine hospital (a Dakar suburb), where a Chinese medical team is working at a malaria research center.

For years, China has been offering Senegal anti-malaria drugs, which the minister said had enabled the government to continue providing free malaria treatment.

Senegal also plans to request help from China for drugs to treat cancer.

The minister said the request will be justified by the fact that Senegal, like all other African countries, is faced with two major health challenges: "that of infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as diseases for the developed countries like diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer, whose medication is very high."

She said Senegal will partner with China in rolling out the universal health care scheme because China has a long experience in this area and has agreed to help Senegal.

Madam Seck said Senegal is seeking technological transfer from China for the production of modern and traditional drugs the Senegalese authorities wish to produce.

Sino-Senegalese cooperation in the health sector has expanded to the personnel training involving midwives, managers and researchers, she said, adding that the two sides already agreed to think of an agenda beyond 2015.

（Editor：HuangJin、Chen Lidan）