Chinese firm to set up dialysis centers in West Africa

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A leading Chinese investment firm plans to start the process of setting up dialysis centers in some West African countries, a senior executive has disclosed.

Jiang Weihong, vice president of China Silk Road Development Capital Management Company Limited, told Xinhua on Wednesday that the effort will kick off in March and the aim of her company was to help improve health delivery.

Jiang signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with representatives of the beneficiary countries on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the three-day West African International Health Summit.

“We signed an MOU here during the ceremony for the establishment of dialysis centers across West Africa. We will start at the beginning of next month. It is something that is necessary for the improvement of health delivery and the health of African people, so we are ready to invest in it,” she stated.

The health summit under the theme “Collaborating through networking and technology for improved healthcare in Africa” attracted participants from 23 African countries on opening day.

It sought to create the platform for hospital leaders, policymakers and health professionals across borders to meet and share practical experiences and current best practices in healthcare.

At the same time, it offers opportunities for the leaders and decision-makers to interface with manufacturers and suppliers of the latest healthcare technologies, products, equipment and services.

“I think this is the first forum or summit which is bringing to the fore the kind of the collaboration we have had with China,” said Oheneba Owusu-Danso, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.

He recalled three major projects undertaken in collaboration with the Chinese medical team over the past 10 years included collaborations with a Chinese team from a provincial hospital in Guangzhou.

The Chinese team has been collaborating with their Ghanaian counterparts in carrying out cardiovascular surgeries.

“They have been offering free services and through that, we have had a lot of transplant, technology and equipment in terms of cardiovascular surgeries and training,” the CEO added.

Hangzhou Supor South Ocean Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Chison, ultra-sound scan machine manufacturers, are seeking to expand their customer base in West Africa.

Ghana's deputy ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Charles Dwamena, said the Chinese firms which were exhibiting offered local health institutions the opportunity to learn about the best practices in terms of health technology and treatment options among others