Chinese medical specialists in South Sudan (file photo)

JUBA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in South Sudan on Wednesday hailed China's continued efforts to support the country' health sector by contributing at least 15 Chinese medical specialists annually to various health units for the past six years.

Since independence of South Sudan in 2011, Beijing has dispatched five medical teams with a total of 66 members who offered specialized medical care and surgeries for more than 50,000 patients across South Sudan.

Speaking during a farewell ceremony for Chinese doctors who ended their one-year mission in April, Health Minister Riek Gai Kok said there is no doubt that the health sector in South Sudan needs the technical and material support of China, now more than any time.

"I appeal and would like to repeat it here that China's support to the health sector of South Sudan is not only needed, but vital and mandatory if South Sudan is to address the current worst health indicators ever recorded in contemporary human history," Kok said.

He appreciated the Chinese medical teams for helping the people of South Sudan, calling on the Chinese government to increase the number of specialists' doctors coming to South Sudan.

"This is the generosity of the People's Republic of China to send this dedicated team to South Sudan to help us fight these worst health indicators in the world," Kok said.

"I would like to sincerely thank the outgoing Chinese medical team for their contribution in supporting service delivery at Juba teaching l and Kiir Mayardit Hospitals respectively," he added.

Pawil Arop Yor, Acting Director of Juba Teaching Hospital, said the Chinese doctors helped to build capacity of local staffers and reduce the burden of work overload on the understaffed Hospital.

"In addition to provision of medicines for our patients which is free of charge, we thank the team for the great job they have done here in Juba Teaching Hospital and we will work with this new team to establish a center for treating cervical cancer," Yor said.

Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan He Xiangdong said health sector is among the top priorities of the Chinese assistance to South Sudan and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The envoy added that China would continue to support South Sudan by funding health projects, capacity building and knowledge exchange through sending medical teams to help the African nation address the Challenges facing its health sector.

"In addition to the provision of anti malarial drugs every year, China has assisted South Sudan with The construction of Kiir Mayradit in Rumbek, cash donations to eradicate cholera and training of medical personnel in China," He said.

"I also wish early resumption of complete peace and stability of the republic of South Sudan," the envoy added.

Early this year, China and South Sudan agreed to boost cooperation in the health sector by enhancing knowledge sharing, capacity building, and hospital to hospital collaboration.

The pacts will also seek to modernize the health facilities in South Sudan, hospital to hospital collaboration and allow Chinese health specialists to set up experimental operations and management units in the East African nation.