Strategic partnership

"This signing today marks the beginning of a strategic hospital-to-hospital partnership. This partnership, which is focused on healthcare and healing, is bound to define our relationship and impact the lives for many years to come," Howard said.

She said the establishment of a cardiovascular care unit will not only improve the country's healthcare but build the capacity of healthcare providers. She explained that the care unit will give the citizens of Liberia hope and will save many lives.

"This is an example of building homegrown solutions for homegrown problems, and our citizens will no longer have to travel to other countries in West Africa for treatment of cardiovascular diseases," she said.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.