THE 20TH CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM BIDS FAREWELL AFTER SERVING THE ZAMBIAN COMMUNITY

By Patrick Soko 
The 20th Chinese Medical Team this month bids farewell to Zambia after successfully complementing the Country to steer health care delivery.

The Chinese Government is resolved to help Zambia achieves Universal Health Coverage through the provision of Health personnel from China, training health providers and financing the development of Health infrastructure. 

Dr Hongwei Jiang the team leader for the 20th Chinese Medical Team shared with oriental Post Newspaper that their experience in Zambia has been overwhelming as they have been working with local Health Practitioners since last year in July in saving lives at the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, University Teaching (UTH) Livingstone General Hospital among other Health Institutions.

“Zambia is like spring all the year-round, but four distinct seasons in the North of earth, it has its own merits. Everything on earth has a purpose. We have to figure out ours. What we can be, we must be,” says Dr Jiang.

He says the Zambian people have very receptive to the Chinese medical team which came in the Country in the year 2018.

“As China Medical Team in Zambia, it was our duty to safeguard the health of the Zambian people and promote the development of the friendship between China and Zambia,” he said.

Dr Jiang is happy that members of the Chinese Medical Team have been awesome and professional in their conduct among the Doctors include Dr Wang and Dr Yean.

“Dr Wang took out many kinds of things out of ear/nose/throat, including peanuts, corn, lentils, cockroaches, mosquitoes, crickets, bees, matchstick heads, cotton swabs, stones, earrings, headgear, diamonds, sticks, feathers, sugar paper, pen cap, batteries, coins and so forth,” explained Dr Jiang.

The Chinese Medical Team 

“Chinese doctor Yuan, very good! There was a severe auricle deformity disease that affected a 16-year-old girl for many years. After careful examination, Doctor Yuan gave her surgery treatment, the result was very satisfactory, the department sounded applause, patients and family members were very grateful,” he narrated.

He says the medical team also encountered a number of Challenges pointing out that Dr Wang Yonghong, radiologist of 20th CMT in Livingston Teaching Hospital who wrote many poems praising China-Zambia friendship and made many friends in Livingston had his Phone, Computer, and Money was stolen in his room when he was in his dreams.

He explained that Yonghong was disappointed, but later he said he would rather give them if they were really poor.

Up to date, China has organized 20 Medical Teams to provide medical service with about 540 Doctors and Medical experts during the past 40 the Chinese Medical Team has diagnosed and treated 3 Million Patients.

700 new Technologies have been introduced in Zambia and health projects have been introduced and implemented here, these efforts have contributed to the Health sector in Zambia.

 

With eleven years to go before the deadline for the post-2030 sustainable development goals, Zambia is still behind towards attaining the goal number three (3) on Ensuring healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.

Some of the targets are that by 2030, countries should reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births.

By 2030, member states need to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

Despite Zambia falling shot in meeting the target minister of health Dr Chitalu Chilufya has told 5fm news that they remain resolute to promote quality health care delivery in the country in view of meeting the goals.

He hailed the Chinese government for complementing Zambia towards achieving universal health coverage in the country saying it will consequently help address SDGs’s

“In supporting our Universal Health Coverage China has supported the construction of Levy Mwanawasa Hospital its expansion and development into a medical university,” the Minister explained.

He is happy that the Country will soon in a position to realize Medical Tourism as it will be in a position to provide education and treat complicated diseases.