China, Africa and global health

The headline for this week's Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Health Development is clear: Solidarity on global health is essential and imperative. It is value for money. It saves lives. The commitment by Chinese leaders, and more than 30 ministers of health from African countries, representatives of businesses, civil society and academics, demonstrates that working together to ensure universal access to healthcare sets a new stage for South-South cooperation.

Economic growth in China and Africa, spurred by bilateral trade and cooperation, has improved the lives of people and lifted millions out of poverty. Investments in healthcare and education have increased all around, but inequalities remain both in Africa and China. So the unfinished agenda of the UN's Millennium Development Goals have to be completed in Africa as well as in China.

China and Africa are in a unique position to leverage their business and trade relationship to encourage breakthrough progress in healthcare. Trade between China and Africa is projected to reach $385 billion a year by 2015. To capitalize on this, China's State-owned enterprises should be encouraged to invest in and promote healthcare in Africa. Since seven of the world's 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa, Chinese investments in the healthcare sector in the continent can produce substantial financial gains as well as generate invaluable public goods.