Innocent Madonko in BEIJING, China
CHINA’S commitment to sustainable health financing, equitable service delivery and the integration of health with broader economic and social development is worth emulating and Zimbabwe will endeavour to explore Beijing’s approaches and adapt them to its own economic circumstances and national context, a senior official has said.
In closing remarks at the end of a two-week seminar on Public Health Management yesterday, the Chief Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Celestino Dhege, said China’s extensive medical insurance and health financing systems, which cover more than 95 percent of the population, enabled a broad proportion of the people to access essential health services.
The seminar was attended by more than 30 senior health personnel from Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces.
Dr Dhege said they gained valuable insights into how China’s investment in the health sector is closely linked to its wider economic and social development.
“Health financing is informed by the country’s economic performance, including its Gross Domestic Product, while sustained investment in health care contributes to improvements in life expectancy and maternal and child health outcomes.
“Progress in reducing maternal and child mortality demonstrates the importance of sustained investment, effective policies and a coordinated, whole of sector approach to health care delivery,” he said.
As Zimbabwe pursues Universal Health Coverage, it can draw lessons from China’s approach.
Dr Dhege said: “Zimbabwe can explore approaches suited to its own economic circumstances and national context, strengthening primary health care, improving maternal and child health and ensuring that healthcare resources deliver meaningful outcomes for our people”.
He said China’s reduction of the infant mortality rate to 4,5 per 1 000 and under-five mortality to 6,2 per 1 000 reinforced the importance of a whole-of-sector approach.
Dr Dhege said during clinical tours and learning sessions, they observed examples of real-time disease surveillance and the application of Artificial Intelligence to support infection prevention and patient safety.
“Visits to medical product factories demonstrated how AI and digital automation can help preserve product quality, strengthen traceability and reduce supply chain leakages and pilferage,” he said.
Dr Dhege said they were proud to see the tangible results of China-Zimbabwe relations through the China-Zimbabwe Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre, which symbolises the two countries’ shared commitment to exploring how traditional medicine can complement modern healthcare.
As the delegation returns to Zimbabwe today, he said, they do so with practical tools, ideas and a renewed spirit of partnership.
“We are determined to ensure that our country continues to learn from relevant health-technology innovations and adapts them appropriately to our own context. We commit ourselves to applying the lessons learnt to strengthen our public health system,” said Dr Dhege.
The Director of the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), which organised the seminar, Mr Wu Wei, said while the Zimbabwean delegation had learnt from the best of the Chinese healthcare system, they had also experienced the distinctive charm of Chinese culture at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, the Great Wall, the West Lake in Hangzhou, and the historic streets of Shaoxing.
“As a Chinese saying goes, seeing is believing. I believe through your stay in China, you have seen a real and objective picture of China and gained a deep understanding of China’s commitments to building a community of health for all and a community with a shared future for mankind.
“This seminar has served as a valuable platform for deepening mutual understanding and exchanging views on public health and has laid a solid foundation for long term cooperation between the health sectors of China and Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mr Wu said the seminar had opened avenues for long-term bilateral cooperation.
“I hope we will continue to serve as goodwill ambassadors of our two nations, drawing from the inspiration and insight from this seminar to advise Zimbabwe’s public health development and deliver your benefits to the people of Zimbabwe.
“Apply what you have learnt to your work and in future promote more mutually beneficial cooperation with China.
“Let us join hands to enhance mutual trust and friendship, respond together to common public health challenges and lay a solid foundation for the building of a community of health for all so as to make the world a better place for all,” he said.
