Government Information Agency
GEORGETOWN (GINA) — The Government of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the ‘China/Guyana House of Medical Science’ which would allow for training of local doctors by members of the Chinese medical team.
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran who signed on Government’s behalf, said the MOU is a continuation of a bilateral agreement between Guyana and China, which sets the foundation for more powerful interaction between the two countries.
China’s Health Minister, Li Bin who signed the MOU, said the two countries have a long standing relationship for approximately 100 years, and added that the Chinese Government is working on collaborating with Guyana to aid in other areas of development such as infrastructure.
Minister Bin said since 1993, a medical team of 147 practitioners came to Guyana from China and since then practitioners have been rotating their visits. It was further stated that since 2001, China established a medical team at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and over 5000 patients have been looked after. Ophthalmologists have looked after hundreds of patients through advanced systems for eye surgeries.
“I believe that under the efforts of the two Governments the partnership will bring about new achievements,” Minister Bin said.
Minister Ramsaran said Guyana and China have enjoyed strong diplomatic and people to people relationships. He stated that this is the first visit of the Chinese Health Minister to Guyana follows numerous visits to Guyana by Chinese delegations. “The Government of Guyana is very thankful for the help of the Chinese Government,” Minister Ramsaran said.
Guyana recently received the 11th batch of Chinese medical brigade. “So far they have only worked at GPHC and the Linden Hospital but the Government is anticipating an expansion to the Lethem and Mabaruma Hospitals with the signing of the MOU.
He added that over the years, the Chinese Government has assisted with the training of local doctors and further, graduates from the Chinese medical schools are starting to enter into local post graduate programs.
“The Government will explore the possibility of inviting the Chinese to come and teach at the University of Guyana medical classes, which will allow for a more cost effective manner of production of more local doctors,” Dr. Ramsaran said.
He added that the Government and the people of Guyana will be very grateful for China’s help. “Guyana is on its way to achieving the millennium health goal but there are still some challenges,” Minister Ramsaran said.
He added that the temporary expansion of the Chinese medical team will be most welcome as Guyana prepares to reach the goal of universal health coverage. Further, the Minister said Chinese herbal medicine is a growing interest locally and appealed to the Chinese delegation for an expansion of the Chinese herbal medicines in Guyana for the future.
Under the MOU of the China/Guyana House of Science, the Government of Guyana hopes to consolidate what they have advanced while working with China and also to expand surgeries provided and training of doctors.
The MOU is valid for a period of five years and can be renewed for similar period if both countries so desire.