(Hello Africa) 40 years on, Chinese doctors' healing hands uplift Zimbabwe's medical services

Over the past 40 years, 22 batches of Chinese medical teams from central China's Hunan Province have played a crucial role in enhancing healthcare services in Zimbabwe.

HARARE, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Over the past 40 years, 22 batches of Chinese medical teams from central China's Hunan Province have played a crucial role in enhancing healthcare services in Zimbabwe.

"Since the first team was dispatched in 1985, more than 200 Chinese doctors have completed their service in the southern African country. Some served more than one term, and one traditional Chinese medicine doctor even worked here for nine years," said Zheng Xingyou, head of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe.

The current team, comprising 11 medics from leading hospitals in Hunan, has been working in Zimbabwe since March.

Zheng said his interest in working in Africa was sparked in the 1990s when, as a young man, he watched documentaries about the continent's healthcare challenges. Inspired by the dedication of earlier Chinese medical teams, he resolved to follow in their footsteps.

Upon arriving in Zimbabwe, Zheng and his team encountered a range of difficulties such as cultural differences, a shortage of medical equipment, and limited supplies of electricity and water.

"Despite these challenges, we enjoy our work here, especially the amicable relationships between doctors and patients," Zheng said.

Over the past decades, Chinese medical teams have not only delivered life-saving care but also contributed to raising local medical standards through training and knowledge sharing.

Li Jie, another team member, told Xinhua that the team has launched a remote training program at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH), allowing local medical staff to regularly interact with Chinese medical experts.

"We need more of such practical hands-on lessons. That's when we can fully grasp the concepts; practicals are very useful to us," Leocadia Basera, a Zimbabwean trainee, said after attending a virtual lecture with Chinese doctors.

To further build local capacity, the team also established a clinical skill training center at the PGH.

In addition, Chinese doctors have been promoting traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a complementary treatment for patients with complex conditions. A TCM center has been operational in Zimbabwe since 2020.

Onias Ndoro, director of traditional medicines at Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care, said the introduction of the TCM clinic has significantly enhanced health service delivery.

"Since the clinic was established, we've seen a significant increase in patient turnout, with appointments often booked more than a month in advance," he said. "It has helped fill a critical gap in the country's healthcare service delivery."

Ndoro stressed the value of a diverse healthcare system and expressed hope for expanding cooperation.

"It's very important that we offer a range of healthcare services. We appreciate the collaboration and hope to strengthen it further by establishing more clinics in other regions," he added. ■