Tanzania-China friendship force to reckon with in health sector

TANZANIA: HAVE you ever imagined that despite a distance of 8,591 km (roughly 11 hours by flight one-way nonstop) between Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Guangzhou (China) the two countries have maintained a strong friendship for 60 years?

As if that is not enough, a baby was born out of the friendship when the 10,000 tonnes-class Chinese hospital naval ship code named ‘Ark Peace’ docked in Dar es Salaam Port to offer free medical attention to Tanzanians.

In July, 2024, former Tanzania Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister, January Makamba met and carried Naza Fadhili, the first Tanzanian baby born aboard the Chinese Naval Hospital ‘Peace Ark’ in all harmonious missions made in the country.

This friendship history will not be precise without delving into how it started in 1960s following Chairman Mao Zedong of China and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania braving the odds to forge ahead as a family.

Here, Tanzania and China began their bilateral relations after the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964 which led to the birth of Tanzania and in quick analysis, China was one of the earliest countries to enter into diplomatic relationship with Tanzania, thereafter, the two nations have continued to embrace the friendship through high level visits in both good and tough times.

As this year marks the 60th year of friendship, there are a number of benefits worth highlighting in economic, political, cultural, and health areas among others.

Focusing on health. Tanzania can stand tall to witness how China through its advanced Chinese Medical Team has been ensuring that its citizens get free specialist medical services.

A case in study has been the Chinese Medical Team offering free medical services in Tanzania.

China is the only country in the world that has dispatched volunteer medical teams to developing countries including Tanzania on a long-term time basis.

In 1964, China sent a medical team to Zanzibar, and Shandong one province of China, sent the first medical team to Tanganyika in March 1968.

So far, Shandong province has sent 27 medical teams with 1,084 medics. Over the past 60 years, Chinese doctors have treated tens of millions of Tanzanians, and generations of local Tanzanian doctors have received guidance by Chinese doctors.

In 2008, the Chinese government assisted the construction of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), which was officially put into use in 2014. The medical equipment and consumables were also provided by China. After years of development, with the assistance of batches of Chinese doctors, it has become the largest and most advanced cardiology diagnosis and treatment center in Tanzania, and even in the whole East Africa.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched a China-Africa medical cooperation program, allowing more Tanzanian doctors to receive medical training in China, sending medical teams to African countries to carry out free diagnosis and treatment programs and training camps, and donating a large number of medical supplies to Tanzanian hospitals.

Currently in Tanzania is the 27th China medical team, consisting of 11 members, which arrived in Dar es Salaam on 5 January 2024. The medical team members cover 8 medical specialties, including anesthesiology, cardiac surgery, cardiology, intensive care medicine, respiratory medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics and neurosurgery.

During the two-year aid mission from January 2024 to January 2026, the 11 members carried out medical assistance work in four medical institutions: Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute (MOl), and Mbeya Regional Referral Hospital.

“Teaching people to fish is better than giving them fish” have always been the purposes of medical aid work of China. The 27th Chinese medical team quickly got into work after arriving in Tanzania. Combining the medical characteristics of Tanzania, the doctors of the Chinese medical team actively developed various new medical technologies with limited medical equipment, trained and taught local doctors dozens of advanced medical technologies and treatment methods, and treated patients together with local doctors. Many complex surgeries and difficult cases have been completed.

During years of diagnosis, treatment and observation by the Chinese medical team, there are many diseases that plague the health of the Tanzanian people, many of which are caused by late examinations or delayed treatment for other reasons.

Minor diseases have become major problems, and there are also many congenital developmental defects and hereditary diseases. It is important to see a doctor promptly and to have timely prenatal care.

Also Tanzanian people have received the world’s advanced free medical services from the Chinese medical team, who regularly provided free medical services in schools, villages and other residents’ blood pressure, blood sugar, electrocardiogram and other heal tens detect and treat diseases in time.

In February 2024, during a free clinic for local students, Chinese medical team found that one eight-year-old student, Louis, suffered from congenital umbilical hernia, which had developed into a giant abdominal hernia due to the lack of treatment, the football-sized abdominal hernia seriously affected Louis’s daily life.

With the assistance of the Chinese medical team, Luis was sent to the Muhimbili National Hospital for treatment. However, faced with the expensive surgery, Louis’ family felt helpless.

Chinese medical team decided to donate and afford all the medical expenses for Louis.

With the cooperation of experts from the Chinese medical team and local doctors, the operation was successfully completed. After the surgery, Louis’ mother hoped to give her son a Chinese name to commemorate and thank the Chinese medical team for their selfless help.

Finally, the team members recommended “Qilu”-another name of Shandong province- which made him and his mother very happy.

There are many stories like this-the Chinese medical team has been quietly making unremitting efforts to improve the skills of local doctors and the health of residents, building a meaningful bridge of friendship between China and Tanzania.

As the story develops, it should be noted that over the last six decades, more than 1,500 members of the Chinese medical team have been dispatched to Tanzania.

According to the Director of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health, Prof Paschal Ruggajo, they have saved the lives of more than 20 million Tanzanians suffering.

Peace Ark Navy Medical Ship anchor in Dar

In November last year, Chinese navy hospital ship “Peace Ark” visited Tanzania and provided 6,441 Tanzanians with free medical treatment, since then it has visited Tanzania three times in a row and attending to more than 80, 000 people.

In July this year, on behalf of the minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Governments), Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila, said the strategic support of the ship was to commemorate 60 years of Tanzania-China bilateral cooperation likewise celebrating Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) military friendship.

“The medical services offered here include preliminary diagnosis and medication treatment suggestions for common diseases, such as respiratory infections, gastrointestinal diseases, surgical injuries, skin diseases, health guidance for chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease medication adjustment, and lifestyle advice and Health consultations to help the local population understand their health status and provide lifestyle recommendations,” he said.

the Ark Peace medical team also offered the services in support with TPDF, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Tumbi Regional Referral Hospital (TRRH), Amana Regional Referral Hospital (ARRH), Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), Temeke Regional Referral Hospital (TRRH), and Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI).

In wartime, the ship also conducts maritime rescue and evacuation missions, while in peacetime, it engages in medical rounds for residents and troops on islands and reefs, deliver international humanitarian aid services, join major disaster relief and emergency medical rescue operations, as well as participate in foreign military medical exchange and cooperation missions

ALSO READ: What 60 years of PLA, TPDF celebrations store for Tanzania-China friendship

Key aspects of Tanzania-China friendship

Tanzam railway: A significant symbol of their friendship is the Tanzam Railway (also known as the TAZARA Railway), constructed in the 1970s with Chinese assistance. This railway links Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, facilitating economic development in the region.

Economic cooperation

Trade: China has become one of Tanzania’s largest trading partners. The trade relationship encompasses a variety of sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and services.

Investment: Chinese companies have invested heavily in Tanzania’s infrastructure, including roads, ports, and energy projects. These investments are often part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade routes.

Development assistance

Aid and Loans: China provides development aid and loans for various projects in Tanzania, such as infrastructure development, healthcare, and education. This assistance often comes with favorable terms and is part of China’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with African nations.

Political relations

Diplomatic ties: Both countries have maintained a strong diplomatic relationship, characterized by mutual visits by leaders, cooperation in international organizations, and alignment on various global issues.

Cultural and Educational Exchanges

Cultural Diplomacy: There are various programs and exchanges designed to promote cultural understanding and cooperation between the two nations. This includes Chinese language courses, cultural events, and student exchange programs.

Educational partnerships: China has offered scholarships and educational opportunities for Tanzanian students to study in China, further deepening the bilateral ties.

Overall, the friendship between Tanzania and China reflects a broader trend of growing Sino-African relations, driven by mutual benefits and shared interests in development and economic growth.