By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
The Chinese government has donated anti-malaria medical commodities worth several millions of Naira to the Cross River government.
The donation which is geared towards supporting the state’s efforts in combating malaria and valued at Thirty-seven Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N37,900,000), were presented by China’s Consular General in Lagos, Yan Yuqing’s representatives in Calabar.
Receiving the medical commodities on behalf of the State, Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, thanked the Chinese government for deeming it necessary to support the state in fighting malaria.
Ayuk also appreciated the Chinese government for sponsoring health sector officials on an all-expense paid trip to China in order to strengthen capacity of human resource in health.
“That partnership with the Chinese government is going to be sustained, we are 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 best while ensuring 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,” Ayuk said.
He assured China that what they have offered would be maximally used, maintaining that, Cross River government can only be thankful by ensuring that the drugs are fully utilized.
On the achievement recorded by the present administration in the state especially the health sector, the Commissioner explained, “our governor has done so much in terms of reviving the partnership between us and technical assistance that is foreign. Much is happening, particularly in the health sector, because of the participation of partners. He has revived and sustained that partnership.
“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 wll 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,” Ayuk remarked.
Representative of the Chinese Consular General in Lagos, Mr. Fan Rizen, described the gesture as a new level of strategic partnership between Nigeria and China.
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 maintained 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.
According to Rizen, “Some Chinese investors have already built up factories 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.”
Another member of the Chinese envoy, Mr. Mark Sino, also assured of more support from the Chinese government in furtherance of the partnership between Cross River and China to enhance the growth and development of the state.
In a goodwill message, the Director General of Cross River 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.
Highpoints of the event were the symbolic presentation of drugs to the state government represented by the Commissioner, Dr. Henry Ayuk, as well as Efik traditional dressing items offered to the Consular General by the DG Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivian Otu.
