-as visiting Chinese Health Minister Lin Bin and Guyanese counterpart Dr Bheri Ramsaran ink MOU

CHINA’S Minster of Health, Madam Lin Bin and Guyanese counterpart, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Conference Centre Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

Madam Lin Bin in her address stated that this is her first visit to Guyana, but she is still quite aware of the strong relationship between China and Guyana.
It has been some 170 years ago since the first set of immigrants from China came to Guyana, and since then as time went by China and Guyana started working together, and because of the consistent communication and co-operation between Guyana, there is now a strong bond between China and Guyana.
She recalled that there have been bilateral agreements over the years, in terms of China assisting Guyana mainly in the Education and Health sectors.

In 2009 the Chinese Government developed an Eye clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) which has so far seen 5,000 patients being treated.
But this year China has sent a few of their best and advanced opticians to assist the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade in conducting over 100 surgeries.
Madam Lin Bin also said that the signing of the MOU will now allow China to assist Guyana more in terms of human resources training and disease control.
She gave some encouraging words in her final statement noting that with the right support and hard work, new achievements will be gained.
According to Dr Ramsaran, the constant people to people communication has contributed to the strong relationship that China and Guyana shares.
Both parties present stressed on the strengthening of relations between China and Guyana.
Dr Ramsaran added that the work of the medical teams have been greeted with gratitude and appreciation.
He also said that he is looking forward to the 12th Medical Brigade making a much larger contribution to Guyana,
Instead of assisting only at the GPHC and in Linden, they should now look to widen their proximity of assistance and begin rendering assistance to places such as Mabaruma and Lethem, the Health Minister opined.
The Government has recognised the performance of the medical teams from China, so efforts are now being made to invite a Chinese Faculty to strengthen the medical training at the University of Guyana (UG) and to also assist more young doctors at the various hospitals.
Dr Ramsaran also stated that he is indebted to the Chinese for giving the students of Guyana a chance to study in their country, and will always be thankful to have the support of the Chinese Government.
The Memorandum of Understanding will be effective for five years, after which it will have to be renewed.
But the minister noted that if anything goes wrong and the MOU has to be cancelled, it will not affect the development and continuation of any of the ongoing medical programmes

(By Navendra Seoraj)