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Sino-Africa relations involve China’s foreign aid to African countries. There are
many questions surrounding China’s foreign aid, such as its scope, its impact, and
whether it is altruistic or opportunistic. This thesis provides an analysis of China’s
health aid to Sub-Saharan Africa, drawing in part on research I conducted in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania, on China’s health services. This paper begins with an analysis of
the history of the relationship between China and Africa, while taking into account
colonialism. This history is important in understanding the complexity of China’s
engagement in African countries. This paper then focuses on two components of China’s
health aid: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the relationship between Chinese
doctors and the African communities they work in. Results suggest that TCM offers
an affordable alternative form of medicine to most Africans in low-income countries.
However, there is still uncertainty about whether the provision of free TCM by the
Chinese government is altruistic or a strategy to promote Chinese products in the
African market. Additionally, the research shows that there is a lack of interaction
between Chinese doctors and the African local communities. The thesis concludes that,
regardless of China’s motivations, foreign aid alone does not result in the development
of a country. There is a need for African governments and societies to take an active
role in the allocation of health aid to their people so that it best serves communities.
Thus, instead of indulging in the debate on whether health aid is altruistic or not,
African countries should focus on finding ways to use aid to advance their own best
interests.
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