Health News of Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Source: GNA

China supports Ghana's preparatory works against Ebola

The Chinese government on Monday signed a $812,786 agreement with the Ministry of Finance to provide materials to support Ghana’s preparatory works against Ebola.

Mrs Sun Baohong, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, commended President John Dramani Mahama, for his effort to coordinate the West African countries and the international society to combat the spread of Ebola.

She said it was imperative that the international society stay united in the fight against Ebola.

“We must stand together, work hand in hand and with confidence to win this fight and prevail over the scourge of the epidemic,” he said.

She said China would continue to support the World Health Organisation and the United Nations to play the necessary roles in mobilizing global resources to fight the epidemic.

"We need to both manage the immediate crisis and remove the root cause of the epidemic. Efforts should be made to accelerate the research and development of vaccines and drugs," Mrs Sun said.

Mrs Sun Baohong said there are a total of 174 Chinese medical experts working dauntlessly in the Ebola affected areas, and apart from the assistance given in April and August, the Chinese President, Xi Jinping on September 18 declared to provide additional 200 million RMB assistance to relevant African countries.

She said the Chinese government was willing to work with all parties to strengthen the coordination and support people in the affected areas to overcome the present difficulty until the dawning of the final success of containing the disease.

Mr Cassiel Ato Forson, Deputy Minister of Finance, said Ghana was committed to the fight against Ebola and expressed Ghana's gratitude to China for the support to countries in the sub-region.