By DALCY LULUA
PAPUA New Guinea and China have signed a new protocol to strengthen their co-operation in the field of health.
Chinese Ambassador to PNG, His Excellency Zeng Fanhua and Secretary for the Department of Health, Dr. Osborne Liko signed the protocol on Wednesday 26th of July, 2023 in Port Moresby.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by 12th China Medical Team led by team leader Dr. Cheng Ganga, and the Chief Executive Officer for Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr. Paki Molumi.
“Due to the expiration of the previous protocol on the assignment of China Medical Team to PNG, we gather here today to witness the momentous occasion of the signing of the new protocol between the two countries, which underscores the important vision of the continued medical and health exchanges between the two countries,” Dr Ganga said.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea for their tireless efforts to strengthen co-operation in the field of health.
“This co-operation not only signifies the deeply-rooted friendship between our two countries, but also highlights the vision to jointly promote the standard of health services in PNG.”
He said this year’s marks the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Government’s dispatching of China medical teams to foreign countries.
“The first China medical team to PNG arrived in Port Moresby on the 25th of October 2002, and since then, the Chinese Government has been dispatching China medical teams to PNG every year in accordance with the Protocol between the two countries.
“And so far, this is the 21st year, 12 China Medical Teams have been dispatched to PNG by the Chinese Government, with a total of 120 experts.“The China Medical Team members are highly skilled and dedicated medical professionals, and over the past 20 years, the China Medical Team has become an important bridge for medical technology exchange between our two countries,” said Dr Gang.
He further adds that China Medical Team not only works with PNG colleagues at the Port Moresby General Hospital, but also invites PNG medical personnel to visit China for short-term training.
“China have also promoted short-term visits, academic exchanges, and surgical demonstrations of Chinese medical experts to PNG. “China Medical Team has played an important role in the exchange of health services between our two countries.
“After the 12th China Medical Team arrived in PNG, we quickly entered into the working condition, donated minimally invasive surgical instruments to POMGH, and hung the plague of China-PNG Friendship Minimally Invasive Surgery Center.”
Dr Ganga said: “Together with colleagues from the POMGH, the team also explored and conducted training courses on minimally invasive surgical techniques, neonatal assisted tumor screening, comprehensive cancer treatment, dialysis treatment, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, neonatal care and other areas.
Lastly, I hope that health exchange between our two countries will continue to open new chapters, our friendship will be strengthened, and the people of PNG will be blessed with a brighter future,” he added.In response to his speech, Dr Paki Molumi said POMGH have many challenges to overcome and one of them is Human Resources.
“There’s a huge demand for health workforce in the country especially for POMGH for specialize health care and we tend to our partners for assisting us, and China has been a very good partner for the last 2O plus years.
“Through The China Medical Team, they have been providing highly specialized services as well as training many Papua New Guineans.
“This occasion is to further strengthen this partnership by signing this protocol agreement,” Dr Molumi said.
