China strengthens relationship with South Sudan: new hospital in Bentiu
A hospital has been built in Bentiu town by Chinese investors. It was opened on 5 April. China is strengthening its ties with the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) ahead of the declaration of South Sudan’s independence on 9 July 2011. China is one of the foreign countries in oil drilling in Sudan.
The hospital with total investment of US$760,000 was opened with support from GoSS in Bentiu town.
Bentiu China hospital combines traditional Chinese and western medicines, Zhang Xinmin, hospital manager told Sudan Tribune yesterday.
Xinmin added that hospital is well equipped with advanced technologies and would provide specialised services, including, surgical, orthopaedics, gynaecology and obstetrics.
The hospital is equipped with advanced equipment including X-ray apparatus, type-B ultrasonic imager, Holter, electrocardiogram monitor, anesthesia apparatus, automatic testing apparatus, shadow less lamp, high frequency electrotome treatment machine.
It has 30 sickbeds and eight senior wards, each ward of department is equipped with air conditioners and electric fans. It is staffed by 15 physicians, technician and nurses.
For years, the Chinese have been profiting from oil pumped from Unity state, but almost no development has been seen by the people living there. During the war, the Chinese were accused of turning a blind eye to massive displacement of civilians living near its oil fields here. Most of the displacement came at the hands of Khartoum-aligned militias, who were ordered to clear the way for oil operations. The oil money from this area went to the pockets of the Chinese and the Khartoum government, but not to people here.
Even after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the Chinese maintained its wary relationship with South Sudan, keeping all their staff in Khartoum. When it became clear that the referendum was going to happen, and that South Sudan was going to vote for independence, the Chinese started to reach out to the SPLM leaders.
Despite the fraught history between the two parties, both GoSS and the Chinese have pledged to work together to keep pumping oil in a future Republic of South Sudan. This new hospital seems to be a sign of those improving relations. People here hope that it is also a sign that they will finally start to benefit from the immense wealth lying under their land.
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