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departments are getting vital support from the Chinese government to help equip and enhance their operations.
One such institution that has benefited from the support of the Chinese government is Chitungwiza Central Hospital that has not only received equipment but has also seen a team of doctors coming to treat patients.
The hospital, one of the country’s main referral centres, recently received state- of-the-art chemistry analysers. These machines have enabled the hospital to carry out diagnostic tests such as renal function tests and full blood counts among other investigations, which are critical for treatment of renal and other patients.
The hospital also received new dental equipment from the giant Asian country to ensure low-income patients get the best treatment for the centre.
During the visit by Chinese Vice Prime Minister Wang Qishang’s to Zimbabwe last month China and Zimbabwe managed to seal US$700 million worth of deals to improve the agriculture and water sectors and concessionary loans all meant to increase utility and production and utilisation of national resources.
To complement the equipment the Chinese people have often sent experts to Zimbabwe to provide medical help to Zimbabweans who are struggling under the illegal sanctions. Towards the close of last year the Brightness Journey Camp – a team of eye specialists – was at the hospital to restore sight to more than 400 patients.
Launching the programme last year, President Mugabe said the assistance was meant to improve the country’s health delivery service.
“Relations between our two countries have continued to grow even after the attainment of independence, with greater emphasis now being laid on benefiting from Chinese expertise,” President Mugabe said.
Chitungwiza chief executive officer Dr Obadiah Moyo said the continued sanctions by the West were affecting service delivery at the hospital but the support of the China had helped lessen the impact. “While Zimbabwe worked tirelessly to develop one of the best health systems in the world after independence, the illegal sanctions imposed on us by the British and their Western allies have eroded most of the facilities that we put in place,” he said.
China has been an all-weather friend to Zimbabwe since the Second Chimurenga and has been equivocal in defeating the machinations of the West, which sought to put Zimbabwe on the UN Security Council agenda pursuant to illegal regime change.
In 2009 China extended to Zimbabwe a bridging package for the inclusive Government needs to bankroll the Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP). Analysts say true friends of the country are those who that stood by Zimbabwe during the difficult times and China is one such.
The Look East policy seeks trade and political agreements with Asian countries that are friendly to Zimbabwe, rather than the West which is been baying for regime change.