LILONGWE, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Malawian Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has commended the Chinese government for its continued support to the country's health sector through successive Chinese medical teams since the two countries established bilateral ties.
Chiponda made the remarks on Thursday during a special ceremony organized by the Chinese Embassy in Malawi to bid farewell to the 11th Chinese Medical Team and to welcome the 12th batch to Malawi.
The minister said that the program has, over the years, filled the gaps that existed in the country's health system, making provision of critical treatment and health care accessible.
The Chinese medical teams comprise personnel in various clinical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, radiology, anesthesiology and laboratory, according to Chiponda.
She said that since 2008, the 11 teams dispatched to Malawi have collectively performed 33,628 surgeries, and treated nearly 140,000 out-patient cases and nearly 170,000 in-patient cases.
"In addition, China donated a large quantity of urgently needed medical equipment, including patient monitors and portable color doppler ultrasound diagnostic instruments to Kamuzu and Mzuzu central hospitals," the minister said.
She said the collaboration with China offers an opportunity for improved skills and knowledge for the highlighted areas of health professional expertise.
Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Lu Xu presided over the event, saying that the services of the Chinese medical teams to Malawi are a "golden billboard" of China's external aid operations while also pledging continued support to the Malawian health sector.
"At this critical moment when Malawi's public health sector suffers from suspension of financial support of its traditional aid parties, China does not turn away but remains where it has been by sticking to its commitment to the people of Malawi," Lu said.
She also announced that China and Malawi will launch a new project called Minimally Invasive Medical Cooperation to promote advanced technologies in Malawi, so that patients can enjoy "more accurate, safe and efficient diagnosis and treatment." ■