The governments of Namibia and China have inaugurated their joint hospital cooperation mechanism at Walvis Bay Hospital in Walvis Bay, Namibia.

The Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine donated medical equipment worth R1.07m ($71,858.23), including ventilators, monitors and a telemedicine platform.

This initiative aims to enhance healthcare services in Namibia and will help install a CT scanner at Walvis Bay Hospital, as well as establish a telemedicine facility for collaboration with Hangzhou, Zhejiang's capital.

The collaboration was celebrated at an event attended by officials, medical experts and the 15th Chinese medical team, emphasising the cooperation between the two nations.

Chinese Embassy in Namibia economic and commercial affairs counsellor Wei Jinming said: “This year is a significant year for the medical communities in China and Namibia.

“Cooperation between the two countries in the field of medical and health services continues to deepen.”

In May this year, Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Service (MoHSS) began an initiative to enhance healthcare quality with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners.

The Hospital Quality Standards (HQS) were developed and launched in 2021, with the goal of accrediting selected hospitals by next year.

HQS implementation involves identifying and addressing gaps in healthcare functions, processes and structures through continuous improvement interventions.

Phase I was concluded last year and targeted Grootfontein, Katutura, Onandjokwe and Swakopmund Hospitals.

The second phase began in April this year and covers six facilities, two of which are receiving funding from the Government of Japan.

Training in HQS, baseline assessments and quality management are integral components intended to improve healthcare quality and achieve universal health coverage.

Zhejiang Province Health Commission head Wang Renyuan said the collaboration would advance wider cooperation between China and Namibia and urged both sides to continue their joint efforts.