Pemba, 22 May 2022 (TDI): A medical team from China visited the Yamaandalizi-kiisi Pre-school in Pemba, Tanzania this week. As an early diagnosis of the congenital disorder is vital for good treatment for children, the Chinese medical team offered a free health check to the children in the school. The Chinese medical team is very significant in China-Tanzania health cooperation.
Chinese Medical Teams in Tanzania
Sending Chinese medical teams to Tanzania is a significant part of China-Tanzania health cooperation which has a long history. From March 1968, the Chinese government began to send medical teams to Tanzania. By the end of September 2021, the 30th batch of the Chinese medical team has completed their work in Tanzania for 12 months. Afterward, the 31st batch is on duty now.
Just for the 30th batch alone, Chinese doctors have done outstanding and extraordinary work for local communities. By the end of their work, Tanzania’s Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi presented medals to members of the 30th batch. The awards ceremony took place at Zanzibar’s State House on September 21, 2021.
Data given by Wang Yiming, the leader of the 30th batch of the Chinese medical team, showed how the Chinese doctors contributed to the local society. Accordingly, during the one-year term, the team examined 60,000 outpatients and 46,000 inpatients. Moreover, Chinese doctors from the team had performed 6,000 major surgeries and participated in 1,200 critical rescues.
Diversified China-Tanzania Health Cooperation
China-Tanzania health cooperation includes but is not limited to sending medical teams. For instance, in October 2018, the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania announced the launch of a new program. The name of the program is Health Cooperation Benefiting Tanzania. The new project aimed at providing free medical services in remote and rural areas.
Besides sending medical teams directly to Tanzania, China and Tanzania are looking for more sustainable and fundamental ways to cooperate. According to this new project launched in 2018, the Chinese government indicated that Chinese enterprises have a great interest in Tanzania’s medical market. Therefore, governments from both sides are working on encouraging Chinese companies to build pharmaceutical factories in Tanzania.
Furthermore, with local factories, it will be possible to realize localized production, reduce medical costs and benefit more Tanzanian people. To sum up, health cooperation is a crucial part of great achievements. Health cooperation can not only promote China-Tanzania collaboration but also benefit from the growing bilateral relationship.
