Chinese medical team embarks on yearlong mission to Vanuatu

The fifth batch of the Chinese medical aid team for Vanuatu departed from Beijing early on Friday for a yearlong mission in the Pacific island nation.

The 11-member team consists of 10 medical professionals from Xuanwu Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, specializing in urology, general surgery, anesthesiology, traditional Chinese medicine, critical care, and other fields, along with a public health expert from the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the hospital reported.

Team leader Cui Xin, a urologist at Xuanwu Hospital, noted that the group includes, for the first time, a medical imaging specialist and a public health professional.

"While the first CT scanner has been installed in Vanuatu, it has remained underutilized due to a shortage of trained technicians. The imaging expert will help address that gap to improve early screening, accurate diagnosis, and targeted treatment," he said.

The public health specialist will collaborate with local health authorities on disease surveillance, data analysis, chronic disease control, health education, and emergency response, while exploring areas for further cooperation, according to team members. In addition to routine clinical care and public health duties, the team will advance the establishment of a Chinese medical center in Vanuatu, enhance local capacity in minimally invasive surgery, and expand cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics and treatment.