(2nd August 2016, Ministry of Health)

Honourable Dr. Peter Kumpalume, Minister of Health,

Dr. Macphail Magwira, Secretary for Health,

Dear Friends from the media,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon! It is my great pleasure to join all of you today in the handover ceremony of medical equipments. These equipments, with the estimated value of 35 million Kwacha, will be donated to Kamuzu Central Hospital.

Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Malawi eight years ago, cooperation in various fields has sustained smooth and rapid growth, bringing tangible benefit to Malawian people. Health, closely related to people's welfare, is on top agenda of the China-Malawian relations. The Chinese Government has sent four medical teams, with 16 members in each one of them, to Kamuzu Central Hospital and Mzuzu Central Hospital. Every year, the Chinese Government, through the Chinese medical team, donates some medical equipment to the Malawian side. I believe these materials will go a long way in alleviating the equipment shortage in the public hospitals.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Apart from sending medical teams, the Chinese Government has provided the Malawian side with anti-malaria drugs. We also launched the "China-Malawi Friendship and Brightness Trip" in Malawi, during which Chinese doctors operated surgeries to over 300 cataract patients, helping them regain their sight. The Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine is now conducting malaria eradication programme in Malawi. Once completed, it will bring substantial improvement to health conditions of the Malawians. Our cooperation is also visible in the area of capacity building. Through the Chinese Government Scholarship, many Malawian students go to China to learn medicine every year. In addition, we have been offering short term training courses to Malawian medical workers and administrative officials.

To conclude my remarks, I want to assure you that China will continue to partner with our Malawian friends to expand our cooperation in health. I am sure with the joint effort of our two sides more and more Malawian people will have access to quality health care, injecting fresh vigour into the social and economic development of Malawi.

Thank you.