(Dec 9th /10th 2021,11:00 am)
Honourable Valasi Toogamaga Tafito Selesele, Minister of Health,
Respectable Dr. Take Naseri,
Local Chiefs,
Distinguished guests,
It is with great pleasure that I attend the Launching Ceremony of the Free Medical Screening Project on the beautiful island of Savaii co-organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the government of Samoa. First of all,I would like to express my sincere gratitude to colleagues of Samoa Ministry of Health and Chinese Medical Team for their efforts to make the Project a reality.
Health is the most important treasure of the life and everybody must take care of their health for which regular check-ups are essential. Together with us today are 8 Chinese Medical Team Members who will provide free services,including consultation,diagnosis and treatment for common diseases. They are all among the top-class doctors and now serving at TTM hospital as volunteers. This project is designed with the aim of enhancing local health service as well as residents’ welfare, and is the real reflection of the long-time Sino-Samoa medical cooperation.
Since 1980s, Chinese government has been sending medical teams to Samoa to provide medical services. Up to now, over 130 medical professionals of 19 Medical Teams have worked in Samoan hospitals. In addition to that, Chinese government also sent short-term medical teams to Samoa. For example, in recent years, the eye doctors from Guangdong Province traveled to Samoa to perform cataract surgeries for local patients free of charge, a total number of 352 patients have regained sights thanks to that. Moreover, China also provided aid in building TTM hospital and dozens of Samoan doctors and nurses were invited to attend medical training programs held in China.
April this year, in response to the urgent need of the Samoan government, a team of 8 Chinese forensic pathologists arrived in Samoa and provided technical support of post-mortem examination on the backlog bodies which have been stored in the morgue for almost 1 year awaiting autopsies so that the bodies could be released to their families for burial. The Chinese government not only provided the equipment for the post-mortem examination, but also covered all the expenses including the autopsy, traveling and accommodation of the Chinese forensic pathologist team, which cost more than 500,000 Tala.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has extended support to Samoa including information sharing, experience exchange, financial support as well as medical supplies donation. Altogether $1.53 million Tala worth personal protective equipment and medical equipment aid were handed over. China has also established the China-Pacific island Countries Anti-Epidemic Cooperation Fund, through which USD$250,000 was provided to Samoa. We have also brought you some personal protective equipment today to enhance your villages’ capacity against the COVID-19.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Samoa. In the past 46 years, the two countries have constantly deepened political mutual trust, increasingly expanded practical cooperation, and further intensified people-to-people and cultural exchanges.A Chinese proverb has it that “Distance tests a horse’s strength, and time reveals a person’s integrity”. China was, is, and will always be Samoa’s good friend.
Not long ago, the Communist Party of China convened the Sixth Plenary Session of its 19th Central Committee and comprehensively reviewed the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century. Full of confidence, the Chinese people are marching forward on the new journey of development which will provide more opportunities for and inject strong impetus into bilateral cooperation in all fields.
Let us keep close to our hearts people’s aspiration for a better life. Let us work hand in hand to build on what has been achieved and work toward a closer China-Samoa community with a shared future, and make our countries even more prosperous and beautiful.
Thank you.
