Antigua and Barbuda can expect significant developments in its health sector over the coming years as the People’s Republic of China undertakes to contribute to the further enhancement and development of the sector.
This was one of the outcomes when the new Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Jiang Wei, along with a delegation from the Center for Caribbean Studies led by Professor Zhang Xingwei, Director of the Affiliated Hospital and Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine of Hangzhou Normal University, and a renowned cardiovascular expert, paid a joint courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.
The two sides held pragmatic and fruitful discussions on new avenues for cooperation in the field of healthcare.
Ambassador Jiang Wei emphasized that cooperation in the field of healthcare is an important component of China-Antigua and Barbuda relations, and that China places great importance on deepening bilateral collaboration in this area. She noted that the multiple cooperation agreements reached between the medical team of the Center for Caribbean Studies at Hangzhou Normal University and Antigua and Barbuda will help promote exchanges in medical technologies and expertise between the two countries.
“Building on this foundation, China is also willing to expand cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda in the training of medical personnel, assist the country in cultivating more local doctors, and make positive contributions to safeguarding the health and well-being of the Antigua and Barbuda’s people,” she emphasised.
Prime Minister Browne expressed his sincere appreciation for China’s long-standing support and assistance to Antigua and Barbuda in areas such as infrastructure development and agriculture. He highlighted that extending bilateral cooperation into the field of healthcare marks a new and more pragmatic stage in the development of relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister stated that he looks forward to leveraging professional platforms such as Hangzhou Normal University and its Affiliated Hospital to provide sustained training for relevant Antigua and Barbuda’s professionals.
Professor Zhang Xingwei conveyed the warm regards of Professor Tang Ruikang, President of Hangzhou Normal University, to Prime Minister Browne, and extended an invitation for him to visit the university at a convenient time. Prime Minister Browne expressed his appreciation, noting that he has visited China multiple times, including visits to the university, and that he looks forward to returning again soon.
Professor Zhang also provided a brief overview of the delegation’s signing activities and academic exchanges in Antigua and Barbuda. He noted that the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University has significant strengths in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, with extensive experience in the development and management of chest pain centers, and expressed the hospital’s willingness to actively participate in the establishment of a chest pain center in Antigua and Barbuda under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in Antigua and Barbuda and Hangzhou Normal University.
Following the meeting, at the Prime Minister’s request, Professor Zhang delivered a public science lecture titled Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases for Prime Minister Browne and members of the Antigua and Barbuda’s Cabinet. The lecture was clear and informative, with lively interactions throughout. Prime Minister Browne and participating Antigua’s officials raised in-depth questions on cardiovascular health, to which Professor Zhang provided professional and detailed responses.
After the lecture, Prime Minister Browne expressed high appreciation and gratitude for the delegation’s visit and the excellent presentation, and engaged once again in warm and friendly exchanges with members of the delegation.
