Chinese medics commit providing free services

DAR ES SALAAM: AS Tanzania and China this year mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, the Chinese Medical Team (CMT) has reiterated its commitment to offering free medical services in the country.

This year Tanzania and China are commemorating their six decades of diplomatic ties in various areas including health sector.

According to Chinese Medica Team (CMT), over the past 60 years, China has sent more than 30,000 medics to 76 countries including Tanzania.

Addressing the journalists yesterday in Dar es Salaam about the activities performed by the team, a leader of the 27th China Medical Team, Zhang Jungiao, noted that over the past 60 years, the Chinese doctors have treated tens of millions of Tanzanians, and Tanzanian doctors have received guidance from Chinese doctors.

“Chinese Medical Team will continue offering free medical services in Tanzania as part of bolstering our diplomatic ties,” Mr Zhang emphasised.

“The 27th China medical team, consisting of 11 members, arrived in Dares Salaam on January 5 2024,” he added.

He went on to say that the members of the medical team are specialists in eight different areas including anesthesiology, cardiac surgery, cardiology, intensive care medicine, respiratory medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics and neurosurgery.

“The 11 members will provide medical assistance in four medical institutions including Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), and Mbeya Regional Referral Hospital, during the two-year aid mission from January 2024 to January 2026,” he stated.

For his part, the CMT member and Cardiac Surgeon, Liu Yimin encouraged Tanzanians to change their lifestyle by conducting regular exercise and embracing healthy eating to combat NonCommunicable Diseases such as cardiac diseases.

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He also urged the Tanzanians to undergo regular medical checkups to identify any early symptoms of health issues.

“During years of diagnosis, treatment and observation by the Chinese medical team, there are many diseases that plague the health of the Tanzanians, many of which are caused by delayed examinations or treatment among other reasons,” he added.

On her part, Ms Sophia Jumbe, a resident of Chamazi in Dar es Salaam, is one of the beneficiaries of the CMT service whose son successfully underwent umbilical hernia surgery and recovered.

She asked the Chinese doctors to continue providing the service in the country to help various people suffering from diseases.