South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The thirteenth batch of the Chinese medical team has arrived in Juba to conduct a one-year medical service in the country.
The 16-member team, deployed at Juba Teaching Hospital, will offer health services including outpatient care, surgical operations, traditional medicine treatment, laboratory tests, and imaging tests.
The medical experts specialise in general medicine, surgery, and traditional Chinese medicine.
They will also conduct outreach services to rural communities and orphanages, delivering free check-ups, treatment, medical supplies, and donations of food and other essentials.
Hon. Sarah Cleto Rial, Minister of Health, commended the Chinese medical teams for their positive contribution to transforming the health sector of the country since 2012.
“I encourage you to remain true to your noble calling to serve with compassion, unity, humility, and respect. We are confident in your ability to provide excellent care while ensuring your own safety and well-being,” Cleto said during the welcoming ceremony of the 13th batch at the Chinese Embassy in Juba on Tuesday.
She urged the new team to build on the legacy of their predecessors as they begin their mission.
“Allow me to begin by commending the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team for their outstanding services during their mission in South Sudan,” she said.
“Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion have left a lasting impact on our people. We have seen you treat countless patients, perform complicated surgeries, and provide high-quality care to those in need.”
Cleto also urged the incoming medical experts to provide excellent medical services and deepen medical exchanges and cooperation with South Sudan.
Huo Ying, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, commended the 12th team for their dedication to serving the people of South Sudan.
“Your actions have demonstrated the noble professionalism and selfless dedication of Chinese medical staff, and you have been true envoys of friendship between the Chinese and South Sudanese people,” said Huo.
She stated that the medical teams have made significant contributions to improving local health care standards and safeguarding the health of the people.
“They have overcome numerous difficulties, provided high-quality medical services to the local population, successfully completed numerous medical missions, and trained local medical personnel.”
Mr. Du Changyong, head of the outgoing 12th batch of Chinese medical teams, noted that they treated several patients and offered a series of theoretical and practical training regularly, which has effectively improved local doctors’ ability to diagnose and treat common infectious diseases.
“Over the past year, we have worked side by side. The Chinese medical team and our colleagues at Juba Teaching Hospital have treated a total of more than 15,000 outpatients, 2,300 inpatients, performed 192 surgeries, and rescued 170 critically ill patients. We have introduced 11 new techniques and methods over the past year,” said Du.
Mr. Zhang Erqing, head of the incoming 13th batch of the Chinese medical team, vowed to provide effective medical assistance to local patients and build a bridge of friendship between China and South Sudan.
“We will continuously offer medical services to local people and look forward to widening and deepening cooperation in health fields between China and South Sudan, strengthening the friendship between our two peoples,” said Zhang.
“The task may be difficult, but with effort, it will be accomplished. I believe that South Sudan’s medical care and health services will continue to progress with our shared efforts.”
Chinese medical doctors have been treating patients and training local doctors since the independence of South Sudan in 2011.
The first batch of the Chinese medical team arrived in South Sudan in 2012.
The Chinese medical teams have established an electronic gastroscopy department and a cervical screening centre at Juba Teaching Hospital and have also supported four batches of 33 South Sudanese medical staff in studying and training in China.
Over the past 11 years since the arrival of the first batch of the Chinese medical team in Juba in 2012, 149 Chinese medical workers have come to work in the East African country, having treated 64,409 outpatients, performed 1,206 operations of various types, conducted gastroscopy examinations for 1,199 people, and held 19 free medical camps in outreach regions of the country, which have served 30,245 patients in total.
