GENEVA, May 21 -- China, Tanzania's semi-autonomous region Zanzibar and the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understandingregarding the prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis in Zanzibar.
The tripartite agreement aims to map out strategic plans for eradicating schistosomiasis inZanzibar.
According to the memo, China will be furnishing Zanzibar with money as well as medicalexpertise and the WHO will oversee coordination for the project.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, Vice Minister of China's National Health andFamily Planning Commission Wang Guoqiang, and Zanzibar Minister of Health Juma DuniHaji inked the deal in the Palace of Nations in Geneva.
Wang said the co-funding of the health project would greatly streamline the process ofwork, and that China would be keen to offer expertise, supplies and technologies in fieldsthat it's most experienced in, to help lift the health conditions in Africa.
Zanzibar is still plagued by chronic diseases like schistosomiasis. In 2012, the number ofpeople needed prevention treatment for schistosomiasis stood at at least 249 millionaround the globe, of whom more than 90 percent lived in Africa.
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziasis, is group of chronic disorders caused by small,parasitic flatworms. It gives rise to multiple inflammations to the intestines, bladder, liverand other organs. Severe cases would even lead to tumor. It is probably the second mostserious parasitic infection that affects human being, next to malaria.
(Editor:Wang Xin、Yan Meng)
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