China Hands Over Cardiology Department Project to GoL -Amb. Yin Chengwu Calls It Product of Enduring Friendship

MONROVIA –The Chinese Embassy has dedicated and turned over a state-of-the-art China-Aid Cardiology Department Project – a move the Ambassador, Yin Chengwu, described a landmark achievement in the enduring friendship and fruitful cooperation between China and Liberia.

In a statement delivered at the turnover ceremony, Yin said it was a moment representing far more than the handover of a new project but the culmination of a dedicated partnership, a path  paved with unwavering dedication, collaborative spirit, and meticulous effort from colleagues on both sides.

“We owe a lot to the visionary leadership and steadfast support of the Ministry of Health, whose clear guidance was indispensable,” the Chinese envoy said. “We owe a lot to the exceptional commitment of the management and staff of the JFK Medical Center, who provided invaluable insights and worked tirelessly to make it happen.

“We owe a lot to the remarkable team of Liberia’s doctors, nurses, and technicians, whose enthusiasm and professionalism have been truly inspiring. And of course, we owe a lot to the dedicated Chinese team, who brought their specialized skills and deep commitment to this endeavor, and worked hard to ensure its timely and high-quality completion. It is the efforts of all those involved that have transformed a shared aspiration into a magnificent reality.”

Ambassador Yin said the project is not merely a collection of advanced machines within renovated walls, but also a powerful symbol of cooperation and friendship between China and Liberia, demonstrating in several profound dimensions.

According to him, the project stands as a powerful testament to the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of China and Liberia, originating from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposal at the 73rd WHO Assembly in 2020, which led to the establishment of cooperation mechanisms among 30 China-Africa Paired Hospitals.

He added: “This Project is a cornerstone initiative and the first to be dedicated. It is especially tailored for Liberia, which will establish Liberia’s first dedicated cardiology ward. The collaboration between China’s Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital and Liberia’s JFK Medical Center aims to empower JFK with an independent cardiology ward and significantly enhance its capabilities in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases.”

He noted that patients across the country suffering from cardiovascular disease will now have unprecedented access to diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic interventions,  translating directly to faster diagnoses, more effective treatments, and will ultimately save lives and improve quality of life in Liberia.

“It alleviates the immense burden associated with seeking such specialized care abroad,” he stressed. “The project serves as a concrete embodiment of the China’s policy towards African countries of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith. This project is also an investment in people. The most valuable legacy of it lies in the empowerment of the healthcare professionals”|

Yin also noted that comprehensive knowledge transfer has been at the heart of this project, with intensive, hands-on and on-line training programs that have been meticulously delivered to the doctors and nurses from the JFK Medical Center by the Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital.

These skilled professionals will be the seeds and create a sustainable multiplier effect for years to come, he said, adding that what’s more, from the solemn commitment made at the 2020 WHO Assembly to the strategic blueprint outlined at the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, China and Liberia have consistently demonstrated a commitment to building a global community of health for all, standing together through all challenges.”

He further indicated that the construction of the China-Liberia Malaria Prevention & Control Center and the China-Liberia Friendship Hospital (JFD), the signing of the new round of protocol for dispatching China medical teams to Liberia (2022-2027), and the implementation of the National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory Project at the 14th Military Hospital, will continue to elevate the health and well-being of the Liberian people.

This approach, shifting from “blood transfusion” to sustainable “blood-creation”, has become a golden standard for medical and health cooperation between our two nations, he said, adding that the project represents a significant outcome of the consensus reached by the leaders of China and Liberia  at the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

As one of the Ten Partnership Actions proposed by China during the Summit last year, Yin said, the Partnership Action for Health advocates that China will work with Africa to further develop pairing-up cooperation between Chinese and African hospitals, among others, and this project is one of the latest examples.

He emphasized that the handing over of the project was a crucial milestone, a significant step forward,  a reaffirmation of bilateral commitment to walk alongside Liberia on the continuous journey towards health excellence.

“China remains a steadfast partner. I am confident that as practical cooperation between China and Liberia continues to deepen, the strategic partnership between our two nations will be further strengthened,” he said. “China remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting the development of Liberia’s health sector and fulfilling the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, thereby contributing meaningfully to Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Together, we are working towards the common goal of building a global community of health for all.”