Your Excellency, Minister Fawsiya Abikar Nur,

Director Madam Fartun Sharif Mohamed,

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to join Madam Minister and Madam Director at today’s ceremony celebrating the conclusion of upgrade and renovation of Banadir Hospital Operation Theater. Banadir Hospital is an iconic project that has witnessed and served the time-honoured and tested friendship between China and Somalia since its founding in the 1970s.  

Despite tremendous changes in the national and international landscape, Banadir Hospital and its selfless doctors, nurses and staff have never let the Chinese and Somalis down, and have been contributing to the health of Somali mothers and children over the past decades, rain or shine. 

H.E. Minister Nur has attached great importance to the overall development of the hospital, a much treasured public asset of Somalia. She has also made every effort to garner support for the hospital.  Over the years, the Chinese side has continuously supported the hospital by donating office equipment, medical instrument and CCTV system. 

In his keynote speech addressing the Opening Ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping made four proposals including deepening practical cooperation and announced nine programs including medical and health program. 

To follow through on President Xi’s proposals and programs, the Chinese Embassy here has recently had the honor to work with the Banadir Hospital again and funded the upgrading and renovating the entire operation theater, including 3 major surgery rooms, 4 manual operation beds, operating lamps and other equipment. With the resumption of cesarean capabilities in February this year, the hospital has received more than 200 pregnant mothers, and has continued to offer a silver lining to the cloud of deteriorating drought and Covid-19 pandemic for women and children in this country. 

Hopefully this will serve as another step forward in restoring and enhancing the capacity of the hospital. The road may be long and tortuous. But as long as we put people first and put lives first, we shall reach our goal of better serving women and children in Somalia, the greatest promise of a historical and youthful country. This demonstrates the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and makes a good start for China-Somalia health cooperation in 2022.

In a month’s time, the Training Course for Health Practitioners from Somalia will be held between National Health Commission of China and Ministry of Health and Human Service of Somalia. Doctors and nurses from top hospitals in China will share their expertise and experience on mothers and children’s health with their colleagues from Banadir Hospital and other hospitals in Mogadishu. I believe that better facility and stronger expertise will help Somali medical professionals meet the health challenges for mothers and children in the months and years ahead. 

I have just had a tour of the hospital and was very much impressed by the fresh looks, new capabilities and high morales in this institution. I am proud to be part of the efforts. I will continue to work with you, Madam Minister and Banadir Hospital and our friends in the medical profession to deepen medical and health cooperation, and build a Global Community of Health for all.

Thank you.