China unveils National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases in Zimbabwe

A conference on the China-Africa cooperation project on schistosomiasis elimination and the launch of the China-funded National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases were held in Harare, capital city of Zimbabwe, on July 29.

 

Sponsored by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (National Tropical Disease Research Center) under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and the Zimbabwe National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), the event was attended by 65 Chinese health experts, Zimbabwean environmental and health officials and staff members.

 

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Dr. M. Dobbie, chief secretary of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care, conveyed his thanks to Chinese health experts for their efforts in preventing and controlling schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe through the cooperation project. 

 

Huang Haiming, counselor at the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe, applauded the work done by the two countries and hoped the two sides would further promote the Belt and Road Initiative and make contributions to the building of a global community of health for all.

 

Professor Andersen Chimusoro, an official with the World Health Organization (WHO), was highly impressed by the achievements made by the China-Africa cooperation project on schistosomiasis prevention and control in Zimbabwe. 

 

Li Shizhu, deputy director of the China CDC's National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, hailed the achievements made by the two countries in the cooperation project and called on the project to bring more tangible benefits to local people.

 

After the inaugural ceremony, Li and Professor Nicholas Midzi, head of the ZNPHI, signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of their separate institutions. Li also presented the plaque of the National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology to the ZNPHI.

 

Counselor Huang, Dobbie, Chimusoro and Zhou Jie, deputy director of the Hunan Institute of Schistosomiasis Control, jointly unveiled the plaque for the National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases in Zimbabwe. 

 

As the sixth health center founded by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases abroad, it is expected to further expand China's international cooperation in the prevention, control and research of tropical diseases.

 

Qin Zhiqiang, a researcher with China's National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, briefed participants on the background, purpose, significance and field work of the cooperation project. Prof. Midzi gave detailed analysis and interpretation of the field survey and technical assessment of the target population and snails in the pilot area.

 

During the event, participants held in-depth discussions on the findings of the pilot project and cooperation between China and Africa on schistosomiasis prevention and control.

 

In addition, Dr. Dobbie also sent letters of thanks on behalf of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care to Chinese members of the cooperation project for their efforts in the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Shamva district over the past two months.