China-Built Health Care Infrastructure in Africa Makes Key Progress

The main structure of the China-Aided Project of Africa CDC Headquarters Building (Phase I) project was capped on Nov 26, 2021 in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.

The main structure of the China-Aided Project of Africa CDC Headquarters Building (Phase I) project is capped on Nov 26 in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]

Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), the project is the first modern Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Africa.

Workers at the construction site of the China-Aided Project of Africa CDC Headquarters Building (Phase I) [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]

With a gross floor area of 23,570 square meters, the project includes Administrative Offices, an Emergency Response Center, an Information Center and Biological Laboratories. 

Once operational, it is expected to be the first pan-African Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the African continent fully equipped with modern administrative, experimental, and other supporting facilities.

It will enhance disease prevention and monitoring capacity, improve response speed to epidemic emergencies and fortify the public health system capacity in Africa.

A view of the construction site of the China-Aided Project of Africa CDC Headquarters Building (Phase I) [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]

At the top-out ceremony of the project, Ambassador Liu Yuxi, head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union, reviewed the construction process over the past year and expressed his deep appreciation for the close cooperation between the Chinese and African teams and their determination to overcome difficulties.

He also paid tribute to all the contributors of the project and pointed out that China and Africa are good friends, partners and brothers. The two sides are always looking towards each other for support, fighting side by side to deal with the COVID-19 epidemic and continuing to push China-Africa cooperation to a deeper level.

He said China is ready to continue to work with the African Union to build up consensus, enhance cooperation and forge a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa.

Amira El Fadil, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) of African Union, voiced his appreciation toward the Chinese government for implementing China-Africa cooperation in the medical field and providing financial assistance for African countries.

A computer-generated image of the China-Aided Project of Africa CDC Headquarters Building (Phase I) project [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]

The Project of Africa CDC Headquarters Building (Phase I) is an essential part of the Health Care Initiative adopted at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. It represents an important step towards an even stronger China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the new era and will be another landmark embodying China-Africa friendship and solidarity after the AU Conference Center and Office Complex, headquarters of the African Union.

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)