CHINA REPORT: Vigorous Engagement

China, Africa set to strengthen cooperation on healthcare

On May 7, Simon Pierre Adovelande, Ambassador of Benin to China, sat down with ChinAfrica, sharing his views on the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador Adovelande talked about the current epidemic situation in Benin and its impact on the country, as well as Sino-African relations. Edited excerpts of the interview follow:

ChinAfrica: What is the latest situation of the COVID-19 epidemic in Benin?

Simon Pierre Adovelande: Since March 16, when the first confirmed COVID-19 case was announced in Benin, we have had 96 confirmed cases, 50 of which have been cured, two have died and 44 are still in treatment. This shows that over the last 50 days, the situation has remained under control.

Health and prevention measures taken by the government of Benin are regularly re-evaluated and adapted to the socio-economic conditions of our country. Our awareness and information campaign is still going on.

In its overall strategy to fight the epidemic, our government has moved to the screening phase where we seek to test as many people as possible, which presents some challenges for us in terms of the supply of testing kits, but the situation is evolving positively and corrective measures are being taken gradually.

As of today, what we are seeing is that some treatments that have been used to prevent and cure other diseases specific to the African continent, such as malaria, may have developed a more resistant immune system to this particular coronavirus among the African population.