Helping hands

When Gao Zhiheng first arrived in Liberia, all she could think about were the swarms of mosquitoes flying around and threatening to spread malaria.

Gao was one of the medical professionals deployed to the West African country as part of a Chinese UN peacekeeping force. Their eight-month mission started in October last year and included 134 police officers and six nurses and doctors. The peacekeepers also went through six months of training to prepare for their role, the Ministry of Public Security says.

Medical equipment such as blood and cardiac analysis machines as well as oxygen supplies were also sent to help with emergency situations during the mission.

Gao, in her 30s, says the medical team members were mostly left to their own devices in their mission areas of Sinoe, Rivercess and Grand Kru counties.

"The natural environment was very harsh and medical facilities were poor. The Chinese medical team shouldered a heavy responsibility in caring for the peacekeepers," she says.

"We also offered medical treatment to local residents who were injured, UN delegates and peacekeeping police officers from other countries."

Gao treated more than 1,200 patients during her eight-month stint, including four who were critically ill and 54 who had contracted malaria.

She also provided medical services to 37 peacekeeping police and army observers from 11 countries and regions.

More medical professionals and equipment are needed to help ensure that the peacekeepers are able to carry out their missions safely and smoothly, Gao says.

These include providing more X-ray and color ultrasound devices to further improve treatment, she says.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/01/2014 page16)