A team of Chinese medical experts deployed in South Sudan on Friday embarked on an experience sharing drive with their local counterparts in efforts to bolster the country’s fight against COVID-19.
The team arrived in Juba on Wednesday before embarking on a drive to share their experience in the battle against the pandemic. Xinhua reports that the team met with members of South Sudan’s COVID-19 taskforce headed by Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi.
“The team has learnt a lot of experience from the local health professionals and also the Chinese team gave some advice on how to improve safety of health professionals,” Xinhua quotes Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, Hua Ning.
The eight-member team from China’s Anhui Province consists of experts in the medical fields including laboratory technology, infection, insensitive care, public health, and nursing.
They are scheduled to stay in South Sudan for nine days.
Hua said the medical team will engage several stakeholders in South Sudan in a bid to forge a common front in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Chinese team will discuss with the South Sudanese colleagues to see how they can work together and make the preparation even better,” Hua said.
By Saturday, South Sudan had reported 2,497 confirmed COVID-19 infections and 47 deaths, according to figures from the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
The country has been dogged by conflict for years, impacting negatively on its health sector and other areas.
China has however been at the forefront in efforts to stabilize the country and improve amenities and critical services for citizens there.
China has been involved in the upgrading of the Juba International Airport, as well as roads and hospitals across the world’s youngest country. China also continues to send medical teams to work alongside their South Sudanese counterparts.
China has also sent critical medical equipment to South Sudan to help in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
