BEIJING, 24 April (BelTA) – Representatives of Belarus and China signed agreements on advancing cooperation in medical sphere in Beijing, BelTA has learned.
In particular, the Belarusian State Medical University and the international education alliance East & West International Education signed an agreement on inviting Chinese citizens to study in Belarus. Belarusian Healthcare Minister Valery Malashko told media: “It will allow us to work in this direction rather rhythmically and routinely. Interest in our education institutions is colossal, primarily in the Belarusian State Medical University. Other venues are also under consideration – the medical universities in Vitebsk and Grodno. Today we are not talking about specific figures. We are talking about making ways and enabling opportunities. I have no doubt Chinese students will demonstrate considerable interest.”
“The company, with which we've signed an agreement on educational services, is interested in also advancing other forms of cooperation, including the establishment of Chinese institutes in Belarus, but it is a remote prospect,” Valery Malashko said.
In his words, Belarus and China also vigorously cooperate in the area of traditional Chinese medicine. The relevant centers have been opened. “Certainly, we are also interested in pharmaceutics experience. We are developing our own pharmaceutics base. We rely on Chinese raw materials among other things. At the same time we are not talking only about Chinese raw materials. We see that we can give a lot to the Chinese pharmaceutical industry, too, in particular, herbal raw materials. They have to buy them in America now,” the official said.
Apart from that, RUP Medtekhnotsentr signed a memorandum with the Zhuhai-based company Biolight Ltd on the joint production of medical equipment (patient monitoring systems) in Belarus. The Belarusian company also signed a memorandum with the Shanghai-based company Medeco Industry Ltd on starting the joint production of operating room lamps, medical furniture, x-ray machines, patient monitors, and autoclaves in Belarus. “The number of corruption-related scandals we've seen recently regarding the matter [of acquisition of medical equipment] indicates that we should seek alternative ways to procure medical equipment in Belarus. As an option we are considering direct contracts with manufacturers. We've already accomplished a lot in this regard. The localization of manufacturing of a number of medical equipment products at Belarusian enterprises will allow us to get quality equipment in a timely manner at optimal prices,” the Belarusian healthcare minister is convinced.
