Lenín Moreno (2nd, L), former president of Ecuador, shakes hands with the Chinese Ambassador to Ecuador Chen Guoyou after the signing of the handover certificate. [Photo/camce.com.cn]

A newly-built hospital, developed by Sinomach affiliate China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd (CAMCE) in Chone, a town in Ecuador, was recently delivered to the Ecuadorian government. Representatives of both sides signed a certificate to confirm the transfer of the project.

Lenín Moreno, former president of Ecuador, Chen Guoyou, ambassador of China to Ecuador, and officials from the local government attended the handover ceremony.

The Chone hospital was the only public health facility in the town, but it was devastated by a severe earthquake on April 16, 2016, leaving 300,000 people in and around Chone without access to medical services.

The Chinese government decided to help the region build a modern 120-bed general hospital on the former site, covering about 21,000 square meters and including emergency treatment, outpatient services, an inpatient ward and auxiliary facilities such as sewage treatment works.

Once operational, the hospital is expected to upgrade the medical services for local residents of Chone and surrounding areas, and will further raise Ecuador’s healthcare level and its ability to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also help increase employment in the medical sector and protect people’s lives and health.

CAMCE, an arm of China’s leading machinery supplier, will continue to explore engineering construction opportunities in the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and to serve the economic and social development of more countries and regions across the world.