China has offered drugs and medical materials worth 46 million CFA Francs (80,000 U.S. dollars) to Pikine hospital in Senegalese capital Dakar, a diplomatic source said Wednesday.

The Economic Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Dakar Lu Yifeng said China has always offered such kind of donations to this hospital that hosts a Chinese medical mission.

He noted that medical cooperation brings the two peoples together and that is why the Chinese government places great importance to medical cooperation with Senegal.

China not only sends doctors and medical equipments, but also helps in construction of hospitals such as the Diamniadio children's hospital, some 40 km from Dakar.

"I want to reaffirm that China will remain ready to support Senegal in its socio-economic development and promote the friendly Sino-Senegal cooperation," Lu said.

The director of Pikine hospital Mouhamed Abdallah Gueye affirmed that the arrival of the Chinese medical team helped to "reduce personnel deficit" that had been observed in his institution, especially in terms of specialist doctors.

"This aid from China will help to boost our medical stocks, besides improving the technical capacity of our hospital," Gueye added.

Under its support program for Senegal's health ministry, the Chinese government is setting up an anti-malaria center within Pikine hospital.

"Once this center starts operation, it will undoubtedly contribute to the fight against malaria and reduce child mortality, while also improving people's health," he said.

Sino-Senegal bilateral cooperation in the health sector dates back to 1975 when the first Chinese medical mission was sent to Senegal. Since then, 16 teams with a total of 260 doctors have come to serve the Senegalese people.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2016)