Sichuan hospital launches imaging training for Zambia's medical workforce

Sichuan University's West China Hospital launched a training program for Zambian professionals on Tuesday, aimed at developing Africa's medical imaging workforce to strengthen its non-communicable disease diagnosis capacity.

The China-Zambia NCD Imaging Capacity Building Initiative is led by a six-member team of experts from West China Hospital's radiology department. The first class of trainees includes 26 physicians and technicians from 10 major medical institutions in Zambia.

The initiative is built upon a broader cooperation framework that took shape last year. Following the launch of the China-Africa Hospital Alliance in Beijing, West China Hospital partnered with the Pan-African Congress of Radiology and Imaging to establish a joint working group under the alliance. The cooperation network now spans 42 African countries.

In September, the hospital sent a team to Zambia and established joint training centers at the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital and the International Hospital of Zambia.

The initiative is designed as a long-term capacity-building effort. Based on field research conducted at Zambian public hospitals, the program has identified cardiovascular and neurological diseases as priority areas, tailoring a five-module curriculum to meet local clinical needs.

"This online training is just the beginning," said Luo Fengming, president of West China Hospital, adding that the hospital would compile all teaching content and case data to develop standardized imaging protocols that can be promoted across Africa.

Mutinta Siachami Nteeni, head of radiology at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, said Zambia was honored to partner with West China Hospital, a global leader in radiology research. He noted that China's rapid technological advancement, especially in medical imaging, offers a valuable model for the African country.

Nteeni stressed that the partnership is about building a self-sustaining local workforce in addition to technology transfer. He believes the program can eventually expand nationwide and serve as an exemplary model for China-Africa health cooperation.