afrol News, 8 December - China has doubled its exports of anti-malaria drugs during the first 10 months of 2006, Chinese customs authorities revealed. Cheap drugs from China are just one of very many success stories in the aftermath of the recent China-Africa summit in Beijing, where a large number of trade agreements were signed.

Half of the Chinese exports of anti-malaria drugs went to Africa and now that there is strong bi-lateral cooperation between China and most African countries, the figures are expected to increase next year, according to customs authorities.

It is proven that China is aiming to be a mayor player in Africa. And between January and October of this year, the country sold US$ 2 million worth of artemisinine-based drugs to Sudan only.

During the last China-Africa Summit in Beijing, China pledged to continue providing anti-malaria drugs to Africa as well as set up demonstration centres for the prevention and treatment of malaria in the continent in three years' time.

If this is done, Africa will gain the fight against malaria, which remains the major killer disease in the continent.

Having signed cooperation with China on 21 November, Rwanda is also getting its share of the country's health benefits. After a discussion involving Rwandan and Chinese officials, China promises to send eight professional medical experts to improve the country's medical services.

China had previously built a referral hospital in Rwanda where Chinese medical volunteers have been working.

The Chinese efforts to fight malaria are also noted in Ghana, where the embassy earlier this week donated a large quantity of mosquito nets to Accra NGOs. China would soon build more malaria prevention and treatment centres in Ghana and supply anti-malaria medicines as well, the Chinese embassy announced.

China is turning into a major producer and exporter of generic drugs, which are cheaper copies of bran-named drugs. This is due to the high level of medical science and low labour costs in China. For Africa, the Chinese export means cheaper drugs and higher wider use of life-saving medicines - but also increased difficulties in starting up an indigenous generic drug production in the continent.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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