Boost China-Sudan Medical Cooperation for a Great Wall of Health
传承医疗合作，共筑健康长城
Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Ma Xinmin Publishes a Signature Article on Khartoum Today
驻苏丹大使马新民在《今日喀土穆报》发表署名文章
18 August 2020
2020年8月18日
The unparalleled outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has had an enormous impact on Sudan. In the face of the grave challenge posed by COVID-19, China and Sudan have stood side by side in their fight against the virus. It demonstrates the sound partnership between the two nations that always pull together as one in times of adversity and the increasingly closer ties of brotherhood between the two peoples, and adds a new chapter to the medical cooperation between the two sides. China-Sudan medical cooperation that has extended over nearly half a century, always takes the lead in China-Arab and China-Africa medical cooperation. It stands as an important historical witness to China-Sudan friendly relations and is integral to China-Sudan strategic partnership.
史无前例的新冠肺炎疫情给苏丹带来巨大冲击。面对挑战，中苏携手抗疫，见证两国同舟共济、守望相助的伙伴之谊，感受两国人民同情相成、日亲日近的兄弟之情，续写了两国医疗合作的新篇章。中苏医疗合作延续近半个世纪之久，始终走在中阿、中非医疗合作的前列，是中苏友好的历史见证，也是中苏战略伙伴关系的重要内涵。
China-Sudan Medical Cooperation Renewed Through Sustained Efforts for Half a Century
中苏医疗合作在半个世纪的坚守中传承
In 1971, China sent the first medical assistance team to Sudan, setting China-Sudan medical cooperation in motion. It was one of the largest Chinese medical assistance teams with longest history dispatched to Africa. Over the past 49 years, China has dispatched, without intermission, an aggregate 1,023 medical workers in 35 groups to the country. They offered free diagnostic services to 8.22 million Sudanese patients, cured 300,000 hospitalized patients and conducted over 200,000 surgeries. A number of sophisticated and high-level surgical operations performed by Chinese doctors free of charge to free local patients from sufferings and save their life filled the gaps in Sudan’s medical field. The Chinese medical assistance team has received wide acclaim and built an excellent reputation for their superb medical expertise and benevolence. They also forged deep friendship with the locals. Many Chinese doctors that are greatly touched by the amity and hospitality of Sudanese people have revisited Sudan, even accompanied by their spouses and children, to continue their medical assistance in the locality.
1971年，中国首次向苏丹派遣医疗队，拉开中苏医疗合作的序幕。这是中国向非洲派出历史最久、规模最大的医疗队之一。49年来，中方从未间断地派出35批医疗队，1023名医护人员，免费接诊苏丹患者822万例，救治住院患者30万例，实施手术20余万台。中国医生无偿为当地民众解除病痛、救死扶伤，实施了一系列高难度、高水平的外科手术，填补了苏丹医疗领域的多项空白。中国医疗队凭借精湛医术和医者仁心，赢得了苏丹各界普遍赞誉和极佳口碑，也和当地百姓结下深厚情谊。不少中国医生感动于苏丹人民的友好热情，多次重返苏丹，甚至带动配偶、子女一同支援苏丹。
In 1998, the Shanghai-Sudan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SSPC), a joint venture between the Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd. (SPH) and Sudan’s Central Medical Supplies Co., Ltd., was established, a milestone that pioneered China-Africa cooperation in pharmaceutical investment. As a core product introduced by the SSPC to eliminate malaria that once threatened the health of Chinese and Sudanese people for long, the artemisinin-based malaria medicine has been sold in better quality and at a lower price for more than 40 million boxes in the past 20 years and more. Additionally, to raise Sudan’s pharmaceutical capacity and cultivate pharmaceutical personnel for the country as its mission, the SSPC worked with the Sudanese side to research and develop new drugs, in an effort to help Sudan develop its domestic pharmaceutical industry.
1998年，上海医药集团与苏丹国家药品采购中心合资兴建上海苏丹制药厂，开创了中非医药投资合作的先河。疟疾曾长期威胁两国人民的健康，上海苏丹制药厂引进青蒿素类抗疟药物作为核心产品，20多年来，以“更高质量、更低价格”，售出青蒿素类抗疟药物4000余万份。上海苏丹制药厂还以提高苏丹制药水平，培养制药人才为使命，合作研发新药品种，助力苏丹本土药业发展。
From 2000 onwards, China-Sudan medical cooperation thrived thanks to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) mechanism. The Chinese government renovated and extended three friendship hospitals in Omdurman, Abu Ushar and Damazin, and had them outfitted with advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment. In 2016 and in 2018, Chinese ophthalmologists carried out two “Brightness Action” projects in Sudan, providing free cataract surgery for more than 1,300 local patients. In recent years, bilateral pharmaceutical trade volume has seen steady growth to approximately USD 100 million at the moment, ranking top 10 in Africa. Moreover, China has provided a considerable number of scholarship and training opportunities in the pharmaceutical field for the Sudanese side.
2000年后，中苏医疗合作在中非合作论坛机制带动下乘势而起。中国政府先后改扩建恩图曼、阿布欧舍、达马津三座友谊医院，并为医院配备先进的诊疗设备。2016和2018年，中国眼科专家两次来苏开展“光明行”义诊,为1300多名白内障患者送去光明。近年来，中苏医药贸易额稳步增长，现已接近1亿美元，居非洲前十。此外，中方还向苏方提供了大量医药卫生领域的奖学金和培训名额。
China-Sudan Strategic Partnership Cemented in Their Joint Fight Against COVID-19
中苏战略伙伴关系在团结抗疫中升华
Leaders of China and Sudan attach high importance to bilateral cooperation against COVID-19 with greater unity and mutual trust. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sudanese President Burhan have exchanged messages. Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Hamdok have talked on the phone. And State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Sudanese counterpart Asma have extended greetings to each other. The two sides always provide each other political support and support the role of the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in leading and coordinating the global epidemic response. Both countries oppose any politicization, name-calling or stigmatization associated with the virus. The proposal of building a community of health for all made by China is highly applauded by Sudanese leaders.
两国领导人高度重视抗疫合作，团结互信更加牢固。习近平主席与布尔汉主席互致信函，李克强总理与哈姆杜克总理互通电话，王毅国务委员兼外长与阿斯玛外长互致问候。双方始终在政治上相互支持，且都支持联合国和世卫组织在全球抗疫合作中发挥领导和协调作用，反对将疫情政治化、标签化和污名化。中国倡议的构建人类卫生健康共同体理念，得到苏丹领导人的高度认同。
China and Sudan extended a helping hand to each other at the critical juncture, which cements a growing friendship between the two peoples. At the height of the COVID-19 situation in China, people from all sectors in Sudan promptly provided China with their strong support. In return, China has so far delivered 12 batches of medical supplies to Sudan, doing as much as possible to help Sudan with its battle against the virus.
双方在关键时刻互伸援手，人民友谊更加深厚。在中国抗疫的艰难时刻，苏丹各界迅速给予中国有力声援。中方也投桃报李，尽己所能支援苏丹，迄已提供12批抗疫医疗物资。
China renders all-round support for Sudan’s anti-epidemic battle, which contributes to deeper bilateral medical cooperation. The National Health Commission of China held expert meetings via video link with the Sudanese Ministry of Health to share China’s experience and good practices in prevention, containment and treatment of the coronavirus disease. The Chinese medical assistance team to Sudan delivered seven training sessions among Sudanese medical personnel to share their know-how on epidemic response, and produced science programs to educate the general public on how to protect themselves from the virus. Such programs are aired repeatedly by the Sudan state television.
中方提供全方位抗疫支持，医疗合作更加深入。中国卫健委与苏丹卫生部举行专家视频会议，介绍中国的防控和诊疗经验做法。中国医疗队为苏医护人员举办七期抗疫知识培训讲座，面向普通民众录制防疫科普节目，在国家电视台滚动播出。
It is the Chinese government that sent an anti-epidemic medical expert team, the largest of its kind that consists of medical experts with the fullest range of specialty, to assist Sudan in battling the virus. During their 15-day work in Sudan, Chinese experts had in-depth exchanges with the government officials, medical professionals and medical staff of the Sudanese side, and had seminars with the establishments of international organizations in Sudan including the WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund and Doctors Without Borders. They also paid 14 visits to eight local medical institutions such as the public health laboratory, the designated hospital, the isolation center and the makeshift hospital, and held 18 training sessions and lectures on epidemic prevention and control for about 2,600 attendees from all quarters. Furthermore, they gave pertinent advice and suggestions on epidemic prevention and containment, diagnosis and treatment, and emergency management.
特别是中国政府派出人数最多、专业最全的抗疫医疗专家组驰援苏丹。15天里，中国专家组同苏丹政府官员、医疗专家、医护人员深入交流，与世卫组织、联合国儿基会、无国界医生等国际组织驻苏机构进行座谈；实地考察公共卫生实验室、定点医院、隔离中心和方舱医院等8家医疗机构14次；为苏各界举办疫情防控专题培训和讲座18场，受众约2600人次；就疫情防控、诊断救治、应急管理等提出中肯建议和意见。
The results of the Chinese medical expert team’s work are highly acclaimed by the people from all sectors in Sudan. Prime Minister Hamdok and Prof. Siddig Tawer, the member of the Sudanese Sovereign Council and Chairman of the Supreme Health Emergencies Committee met with all Chinese medical experts at the respective appreciation ceremony. Prime Minister Hamdok even expressed on the social media platform his gratitude to Chinese medical experts. The Chinese medical expert teams gained the trust and respect of their Sudanese counterparts and were greeted warmly by the people of Sudan. Their contribution hit the headlines of mainstream Sudanese media and social media platforms many times.
中国专家组的工作成果得到苏丹各界的高度认可。哈姆杜克总理和主权委员会成员兼最高卫生应急委员会主席塔瓦尔教授分别会见全体专家并举行答谢仪式，哈姆杜克总理还在社交媒体上向中国专家致谢。中国专家组不仅赢得了苏丹同行的信任和尊敬，还受到苏丹民众的热烈欢迎，频频登上苏丹主流媒体和社交媒体头条。
China-Sudan solidarity against COVID-19 is a perfect example of the close friendship between the two nations sharing weal and woe. It demonstrates again the high level and significance of their strategic partnership, and could be hailed as a new milestone in China-Sudan medical cooperation.
中苏团结抗疫充分体现了两国患难与共的亲密关系，再次彰显了两国战略伙伴关系的高水平和重要性，堪称中苏医疗合作新的里程碑。
China-Sudan Medical and Health Cooperation Sure to Be Deepened in the Post-pandemic Era
中苏医疗卫生合作将在“后疫情时代”不断深化
The public health system of Sudan still faces considerable pressure as the coronavirus continues to ravage across the globe. China is willing to take the cooperation against COVID-19 as an opportunity to continue deepening its medical and health cooperation with the Sudanese side and to build an iron wall of defense for people’s safety and health.
新冠疫情在全球持续蔓延，苏丹公共卫生体系仍面临着巨大压力。中方愿以抗疫合作为契机，继续同苏方深化医疗卫生合作，筑牢守卫人民生命安全的健康长城。
It is imperative to make best use of three mechanisms. First and foremost, a host of important proposals and initiatives announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly and at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 need to be implemented. Next, medical and health aid programs under the framework of the FOCAC and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) need to be advanced. And third, the potential of bilateral medical cooperation needs to be tapped to upgrade current collaborative programs including the Chinese medical assistance team to Sudan and the China-Sudan friendship hospitals.
我们要用好三大机制。一是落实习近平主席在第73届世界卫生大会开幕式和中非团结抗疫特别峰会上提出的一系列重要倡议和举措；二是推进两国在中非、中阿合作论坛框架下的健康卫生行动；三是挖掘中苏双边医疗合作潜力，推动援苏医疗队、中苏友谊医院等现有项目优化升级。
It is wise to focus on three major areas. The first is to strengthen exchanges in public health governance, including exchanges with respect to early warnings, emergency response, emergency control and other aspects of the public health governance system and the related policies and laws. The second is to reinforce cooperation in the public health emergency preparedness, such as collaboration on disease prevention and control, training of public health personnel and building of public health capabilities. And the third is to bolster cooperation in medical infrastructure, for example, building hospitals and supplying medical equipment and devices.
我们要深耕三大领域。一是加强公共卫生治理交流，包括就预警、应急、管控等公共卫生治理体系和政策法律等进行交流；二是加强公共卫生应对能力建设合作，包括在疾病防控、公共卫生人员培训和卫生能力建设等方面进行合作。三是加强医疗基础设施合作，包括兴建医院和提供医疗设备等。
Sudan has currently been engaged in the cooperation between paired-up Chinese and African hospitals. With the aid of such cooperation mechanism, medical institutions of China and Sudan will see more targeted and effective exchanges and cooperation. Sudan is expected to benefit from the COVID-19 vaccines to be developed and produced by China. China will continue to offer support for the upgrade of Sudan’s national public health laboratory, and encourage experts of two countries to pursue joint research and explore ways to conduct cooperation in the domain of traditional Chinese medicine.
目前，苏丹已加入中非对口医院合作机制，通过这一机制，两国医疗机构间的交流合作将更加精准高效。苏丹也有望受惠于中国研制成功并投产使用的新冠疫苗。我们将继续支持苏丹国家公共卫生实验室升级改造项目，鼓励两国专家开展联合研究，并探讨中医药合作。
The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic cannot shake the solid foundation of China-Sudan long-lasting friendship. Instead, cooperation against COVID-19 will add more luster to the already-golden China-Sudan strategic partnership. Their friendship will surely grow stronger after going through the mill, and their relations that withstand the test of the pandemic are bound to take on greater vitality. Touching stories about joint efforts of China and Sudan to fight against COVID-19 and safeguard people’s health will stand out as a vivid example of international cooperation against the virus and a wonderful practice of fulfilling the vision of building a community of health for all.
突如其来的疫情冲不垮中苏传统友好的坚实基础，只会擦亮中苏战略伙伴关系金子般的底色。历经疫情锤炼的中苏友谊必将更加牢固，经受疫情考验的两国关系也必将焕发出勃勃生机。中苏携手抗疫、守卫健康的感人故事也将成为国际抗疫合作的生动案例，书写出构建人类卫生健康共同体的精彩实践。