Chinese govt donates N37m anti-malaria drugs to Cross River

The Chinese government has donated anti-malaria medical commodities worth several millions of naira to the Government of Cross River in a bid to support the State’s efforts in combating malaria.

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

Receiving the medical commodities on behalf of the State Government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, thanked the Chinese government for deeming it necessary to support Cross River in fighting malaria.

Ayuk also appreciated the Chinese government for sponsoring health sector officials on an all-expense paid training to China to further strengthen capacity of human resource in health.

“That partnership with the Chinese government is going to be sustained. That is an assurance from the government of this state, he assured.

“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 Cross River government can only be thankful by ensuring that these drugs are fully utilised,” the Commissioner added.

Speaking on the significance 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.

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

He stated 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 milligram injection and D-Artep 640 milligram tablets are fast and effective in curing malaria ailment.

“Meanwhile, today, we also hear the request or discussion from our people here on the 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 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 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.