On the last day of October, at 8am, at the Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital in Togo, Zhao Hezheng, an orthopedic doctor from the 27th batch of Chinese aid to Karadongdai Medical Team in Togo, was conducting ward rounds in the orthopedic ward with local colleagues. Upon learning that he had recovered well after surgery and would soon be able to be discharged, 52 year old Kujubabalo Yona thanked Zhao He, saying, "Chinese doctors perform the surgery, which is reassuring!" The Kara region is located in the northern part of Togo, and the mountainous terrain has led to frequent traffic accidents, but the hospital lacks orthopedic personnel and medical equipment. The Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital used to have only one assistant physician who could perform orthopedic surgeries, making it difficult to meet the medical needs of the local population. This situation has been changed with the deepening of medical cooperation between China and Togo. The two countries signed a letter of intent in 2022 to establish a cooperation mechanism between the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and the Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital. The Chinese side has assisted in the construction of local trauma orthopedics and the training of medical and nursing talents through various methods such as sharing experience in department construction, remote consultations, talent cultivation, and expert dispatch, effectively improving the local level of trauma orthopedics diagnosis and treatment. The arrival of Chinese doctors is very important for patients. Their technology is convincing Genim Collen Finiki, an assistant physician in the trauma department at the Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital, sighed that patients in the Karadongdai region no longer have to travel nearly 7 hours to the capital for medical treatment. The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University has dispatched two groups of short-term expert teams to Togo this year to conduct teaching rounds, surgical demonstrations, discussions on difficult cases, and training in basic orthopedic skills with the Chinese aid to the Karaoke medical team in Togo. The Chinese side also donated a batch of equipment to the Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital. Not long ago, orthopedic experts from the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, with the cooperation of medical team members and local orthopedic doctors, performed surgery on 25-year-old Firman Dauso. Zhao He recalled that the patient did not seek medical attention in a timely manner after the fracture. After several months of abnormal healing, the fracture site had already grown callus, which posed a significant challenge to the surgery. After several hours of debridement, reduction, and fixation, the surgery was finally successful. Da Wusuo said that Chinese doctors are always meticulous and patient in the diagnosis and treatment process, and they also give themselves encouragement during postoperative examinations, which makes him full of confidence in recovering his health. According to Wu Ruitao, the captain of the 27th batch of Chinese aid to Togo's Kara medical team, the orthopedic clinic of the Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital now receives more than 300 patients per month. Local medical staff can not only participate in remote consultations and training, but also travel to China for learning. Two batches of six multi-party trainees have participated in a six-month business training program in China. After returning to China, they have performed 58 orthopedic surgeries and completed 258 manual reconstructive procedures. Rehabilitation therapist Kofi Talbia Akad was one of the first batch of students to go to China and has now returned to work in the orthopedic clinic of the Karadongdai Regional Central Hospital. He said, 'Studying in China has broadened my horizons, and I hope to contribute to the orthopedic construction of my hometown hospital.' This year marks the 50th anniversary of China's dispatch of medical teams to Togo. In October, Togolese Health Minister Dare expressed gratitude to China for supporting the development of Togo's healthcare industry through the dispatch of medical teams, support for medical supplies, and cooperation mechanisms with partner hospitals during the renewal ceremony of the letter of intent for the cooperation mechanism between the two countries. Multiple parties hope to continue strengthening cooperation in the field of health between the two countries, bringing more benefits to the people. (New Society)