Xi hails dedication of overseas medic team

President Xi Jinping has called on members of the Chinese medical team to the Central African Republic to remain true to their mission and deliver more benefits to local residents with their professional expertise and medical ethics.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, spoke highly of the efforts made by the medical team — the 19th sent by China to the African country — in a reply letter to its team members on Thursday.

As this year marks the 60th anniversary since China sent its first medical team abroad, Xi said he extended sincere regards to all those who are or were on China's international healthcare missions.

He lauded the team for overcoming hardships in its work and everyday life and offering attentive services to local people, saying that their actions have not only saved lives but also carried forward friendship.

The president pointed out that these overseas healthcare missions illustrate the fact that the Chinese people love peace and cherish lives.

Xi called on the medical personnel to better present China to the world through their concrete actions, thus making greater contributions to the building of a global community of health for all.

China sent its first medical team to a foreign country in 1963, when the nation sent a healthcare mission to Algeria. Over the past six decades, China has sent medical teams consisting of 30,000 members to 76 countries and regions across five continents, providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments for local people.

Chinese medical teams are currently working at 115 sites in 56 countries, of which nearly half are in remote areas with harsh conditions.

The 11 members of the Chinese medical team to the Central African Republic recently wrote a letter to Xi to share details of their services to local residents, expressing their resolve to help build a global community of health for all.

The team, which arrived in the African country in June 2022 for an 18-month mission, had treated 7,300 patients and conducted over 230 operations as of December.

Wang Baoxiang, a neurologist with the team, said it had to work with aging facilities and a shortage of equipment and pharmaceuticals upon its arrival.

The most common ailments treated by the team are malaria, lung infections, gastroenteritis, fractures and bladder stones. The team has now been able to adapt to the work environment and is confident of completing its tasks, he said.