How soon will China help to provide sustainable development in health and medical services in the Solomon Islands?
I was reading an article in the Lancet this morning which said that medical aid has played an important part in China’s foreign policy, mainly through sending medical staff to low-income and middle-income countries
In recent years, the article added, China has expanded its initiatives in Africa as part of its health diplomacy, and supports infrastructure development and human resources2
The 2013 Beijing Declaration further demonstrated China’s commitment to expand public health initiatives including development of broader health systems in African countries, I read.
If China recognizes the importance in its foreign policy of providing sustainable development assistance in health and health services, I am tempted to ask what help will the Solomon Islands get, and how soon?
In another article I read this morning entitled ‘Global Health and Research Policy,’ it said.
Quote.
“Countries sometimes request for China to provide them with aid focusing on the health sector. For example, many developing countries hope that China can assist in helping to build local capacity of public health delivery system through human resources training, building large public health infrastructure, as well as the development of natural medicine and other medicinal industries
“In addition, there is a strong desire for assistance with helping establish a sound medical and public health service system, for example focusing on help with technology.”
There was no hint in the latter article to say how China had responded to the requests reportedly made, but my view is that the Solomon Islands would certainly benefit with help in quickly establishing a sound medical and public health service system, especially when so many of the country’s rural medical centres and clinics are needing re-building, or replacing and supplied with furniture, equipment and medical supplies.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
