Turkey renovates school, hospitals in southern Africa

Turkey's state-run aid agency aims to continue its support to education and health sectors in southern African countries, an agency official said.

"We have installed a library for an educational institute in Johannesburg and are working closely with the Department of Basic Education of South Africa for further projects," said Mehmet Akif Şekerci, Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency's (TIKA) coordinator in South Africa.

Şekerci said the agency also aims to support the development of the health sector in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland by renovating old hospitals, building new and provide them with equipment.

He said they will also provide training to local medical practitioners.

Şekerci said the agency has also completed renovation of the Mohau Child Center in Lesotho which take care of abandoned or HIV positive children.

"TIKA donated cutting-edge medical equipment to Lesotho Scott Hospital and renovated the building," he added.

Since its founding in 1992, TIKA has been responsible for facilitating Turkey's official development assistance by providing help to developing countries.

Currently, TIKA is engaged in a variety of developmental cooperation activities in 150 countries through its 60 program coordination offices, including 20 in Africa.

Despite being in South Africa for just a few months, TIKA has embarked on many projects such as refurbishing homes for children for children whose parents died of HIV or have been abandoned.