JUBA — China and South Sudan have signed a development pact for the expansion and modernization of the Juba Teaching Hospital to offer medical services in the East African country.

Hua Ning, Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, said the Phase II project is more comprehensive than the completed Phase 1 with multi-functional facilities including infectious disease division and several ICUs.

"I am very pleased to sign the agreement on the new project as we are going to celebrate South Sudan's 10th anniversary of independence and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Sudan," Hua said in a statement issued in Juba on the evening of March 18.

"It is another major achievement in our health cooperation and concrete action in building China-Africa community of health for all. I trust the new project will significantly improve the healthcare delivery and pandemic control capacity in South Sudan when it is completed," the Chinese envoy added.

In the global fight against COVID-19, Hua said, China, South Sudan and other African countries have enhanced solidarity and cooperation by supporting each other.

"We will also donate 100,000 doses of vaccine to South Sudan in line with the country's vaccine policy," said Hua.

The Phase I project was completed and handed over to the government in 2019.

The Phase II project, with a total site area of about 2.28 hectares and a total floor area of about 16,000 square meters, includes six functional divisions: specialist outpatient division, medical technology division, inpatient division, infectious disease division, administration division and logistics support division.

Both projects are funded with the Chinese government's grants.

Mayen Dut Wol, undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in South Sudan, lauded China for undertaking the implementation of the two health projects.

"This is a tremendous health infrastructure project which will culminate in a profound improvement of healthcare and welfare of the people of South Sudan," Wol said.

He added that the signing of the agreement marked a new chapter on the existing thriving bilateral relations between Beijing and Juba, noting that the deal has come at a time when the young republic will celebrate its 10th anniversary of the strong establishment of good diplomatic relations with China in July.