In August of this year, the President of Zanzibar, Tanzania, Mwinyi, received the 33rd Chinese aid medical team to Tanzania and awarded medals and commemorative certificates to all members in recognition of their contributions to the healthcare industry in Tanzania. Mwini pointed out that the Chinese medical team not only uses advanced medical technology to treat local patients, but also trains local medical students and doctors, which reserves talents for the development of Zanzibar's medical industry. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania, as well as the 60th anniversary of China's dispatch of medical teams to Zanzibar. Over the past 60 years, China and Tanzania have cooperated with medical personnel and made unremitting efforts to protect the health of Tanzanian people, which has become a vivid footnote of friendly cooperation between the two peoples. Our reporter visited the locations of three Chinese medical teams assisting Tanzania to experience up close the spirit of the Chinese medical team, which is "fearless of hardship, willing to contribute, saving lives and helping the wounded, and boundless love". We recorded the story of the Chinese medical team using kindness and skills to benefit the local people and deepen the friendship between China and Tanzania. At 3:00 pm, Dr. Zhao Lijian, a doctor from the 27th batch of Chinese (Shandong) medical teams assisting Tanzania, completed a one hour interventional treatment surgery at the Kikwete Heart Disease Research Institute located in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. Interventional therapy has less trauma and faster postoperative physiological function recovery compared to surgical procedures. It is the preferred treatment method for patients with suitable conditions and also an urgent technical gap that needs to be filled in this research institute. Zhao Lijian is an expert in interventional therapy for pediatric congenital heart disease. Five years ago, when he first came here to carry out foreign aid medical missions, the research institute was unable to independently carry out interventional treatment for pediatric congenital heart disease due to a lack of technical personnel and medical equipment in the local area. With the efforts of Zhao Lijian, the first batch of occluders used for the treatment of congenital heart disease was transported from China to Dar es Salaam. The first intervention surgery he performed at the research institute became a teaching demonstration, and not only local doctors, but also two Ugandan pediatricians came to observe. The successful implementation of interventional therapy surgery not only has significant implications for the development of the research institute, but also brings more hope to local patients. I enjoy working here. Whether it's treating patients or leading local doctors in pediatric congenital heart disease intervention treatment, it gives me a great sense of achievement Over the course of two years, Zhao Lijian established deep relationships with local doctors and patients. When he finished his previous foreign aid work, Professor Mohammad Janabi, the then executive director of the research institute, pleaded with him to extend his term, and later wrote a special letter to the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, hoping to invite Dr. Zhao back. Upon learning of this, Zhao Lijian was deeply moved. "I have decided to return to the research institute and utilize my expertise to contribute to safeguarding the health of the local people." In January 2024, Zhao Lijian returned to Tanzania. He was delighted to see that the research institute had made significant progress in medical facilities, technological means, and knowledge updates. All of this cannot be separated from the successive assistance of Chinese medical teams, "said Peter Kisenga, the executive director of the research institute. Nowadays, the institute has not only made remarkable progress in the professional diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but also become an important platform for medical training and experience exchange in Tanzania. Meijia Unadkat, a young doctor who has just started working, is a member of Zhao Lijian's department team. When she was a trainee in the research institute, she heard that 'Dr. Zhao is very skilled in performing surgeries'. Unadkat said that her ideal is to become a pediatric cardiologist like Dr. Zhao. I never thought that one day I would be able to learn and work with Dr. Zhao. The skills and experience he imparted would benefit us young doctors for life. Since 1968, the Chinese medical team assisting Tanzania has treated nearly 20 million patients in mainland Tanzania and helped local hospitals fill multiple technical gaps. At present, a total of 11 Chinese medical team members are carrying out foreign medical aid work in four medical institutions on the mainland of Tanzania. The cooperation with the Chinese medical team has greatly promoted the exchange of relevant professional knowledge and experience between the two countries, "said Dr. Angela Mukhoizia, director of the cardiac surgery department at the research institute. In Swahili, "Mai Le" means "forever", symbolizing the beautiful wish to pass on the friendship between China and Tanzania. The story of "Maile Village" takes place at Nazmoja Hospital. This hospital is the largest public hospital in the Zanzibar region and also one of the designated aid hospitals for the Chinese aid medical team in Zanzibar. In September 2023, the 33rd aid medical team sent by Jiangsu Province, China to Zanzibar arrived locally and began work. On the second day of working at Nazmoja Hospital, medical team leader Jiang Guoqing performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with local doctor Rashid. Captain Jiang, why do you only open 3 holes for surgery? The doctors I've seen all open 4 holes, which seems to make the surgery easier, "asked Rashid, who had just graduated, curiously. Jiang Guoqing explained, "The three hole method is a recommended surgical technique in the world of surgery. Cutting one hole not only reduces patient trauma, but also eliminates one surgical assistant, saving manpower." "Previously, someone suggested that I go to China to learn laparoscopic techniques, but now I can learn from you in Tanzania. Thank you to the Chinese medical team!" Rashid said. From then on, he became Jiang Guoqing's first African disciple and grew step by step with the help of Chinese teachers. Three months later, Rashid independently completed laparoscopic knotting surgery for the first time; In January of this year, he independently completed laparoscopic appendectomy for the first time; In April, he successfully completed laparoscopic cholecystectomy independently using the three port method, which was also the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed independently by a doctor from Zanzibar. Upon learning of this matter, the Minister of Health of Zanzibar, Mazi, was delighted and expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for their assistance over the past 60 years. The Chinese medical team has been imparting new medical knowledge and skills to our doctors. As Rashid's surgical skills have gradually matured, he has gone from a practicing doctor to a chief surgeon. Laparoscopic surgery has mild pain and quick recovery, but it requires a high level of technical expertise from doctors. Before, I didn't have the confidence to recommend this surgical method to patients, but now it's different, "Rashid said confidently. Up to now, he has independently performed over 40 laparoscopic appendectomy and cholecystectomy procedures. Rashid has left the school, and more "students" have come to admire him. I am genuinely happy that this is the recognition of our Chinese doctors' skills by our African counterparts, "said Jiang Guoqing. The Chinese aid to Zanzibar medical team is the second foreign medical team sent by the Chinese government to Africa. Over the past 60 years, the medical team has treated more than 8.3 million patients, established multiple Chinese medical team technical centers in the local area, and become a treatment center and training research center for related diseases. President Mwinyi has presented awards to the medical team multiple times, thanking China for its selfless assistance in the field of healthcare over the years. The expert group of China's aid to Zanzibar schistosomiasis prevention and control project - "Pest Control" Record. In the western Indian Ocean, amidst a blue sky, Pemba Island is surrounded by white sandy beaches, with lilacs blooming and beautiful scenery on the island. Pemba Island is the second largest island in the Zanzibar region, facing the African continent across the sea. Once, this beautiful and comfortable island was a heavily endemic area for schistosomiasis. Now, this situation is changing with the efforts of the expert group of the Chinese aid to Zanzibar schistosomiasis prevention and control project. At a pond in Kirindi Village, Pemba Island, a Chinese expert group is conducting sampling and testing work. This pond, half the size of a football field, is the main water source for over 4000 local villagers. The intermediate host of schistosomiasis, the water snail, proliferates in large numbers in such ponds, causing great suffering to the residents living near the ponds. "Previously, we had disinfection and sterilization the pond, but now the blister snail appears again." Expert group member Wu Hongchu told reporters, "Drug eradication of snails is not a long-term solution. Through comprehensive prevention and control, changing the living environment of snails, changing people's water habits and disease prevention awareness, we can eliminate the hidden danger of schistosomiasis infection from the root." There are more than 120 communities, 300 ponds, and 400 streams on Pemba Island. Since the official launch of China's aid to Zanzibar schistosomiasis prevention and control project in 2017, the Jiangsu Institute of Schistosomiasis Control has dispatched 40 experts to conduct work on Pemba Island. From conducting in-depth community surveys and visits, to going door-to-door to investigate and treat illnesses; The footprints of Chinese experts have spread throughout the island, from conducting snail inspections and extermination in the lower pond to conducting publicity and education on campus. Sele, the head of the Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Office on Pemba Island, and Chinese experts went down to the pond and into the community, establishing a deep friendship. The research and thinking of Chinese experts on schistosomiasis prevention and control have given me great inspiration. Their fearless dedication has inspired many Zanzibar people to join the cause of schistosomiasis prevention and control, "said Sele. In 2019, the World Health Organization evaluated the effectiveness of the first phase of China's aid to Zanzibar for schistosomiasis prevention and control. The data showed that with the joint efforts of the Chinese expert group and local staff, the infection rate of schistosomiasis patients in the Pemba Island schistosomiasis prevention and control demonstration area had decreased from 8.92% to 0.64%. In 2023, the second phase of China's aid to Zanzibar for schistosomiasis prevention and control project will be launched. On the basis of the achievements of the first phase project, the second phase project aims to expand the demonstration area for schistosomiasis prevention and control on Pemba Island, and establish a pilot area for prevention and control on the main island of Zanzibar, Wengujia Island, to further verify and promote suitable schistosomiasis prevention and control models and experiences for the local area. Chinese experts bring not only experience in preventing and controlling schistosomiasis, but also experience in rural development, construction, and governance, which is a fundamental method for preventing and controlling schistosomiasis Sere said. Currently, the Chinese expert group is closely collaborating with local departments such as water conservancy, agriculture, environmental protection, and education to lay clean water supply pipelines, set up multiple clean water intake points, and solve the problem of daily drinking water sources for residents; Mobilize local residents to raise poultry and release them into ponds with snails to control the number of snails and reduce the risk of schistosomiasis infection. Measures such as self propagation and self-sufficiency can stimulate the enthusiasm of local people to participate and help them increase their income, "said Wu Hongchu. Omar Musindo Bacardi, Director of the Water Authority of Pemba Island, stated that the plan proposed by Chinese experts not only provides important support for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Pemba Island, but also helps solve the problem of water shortage in the local area. He hopes that cooperation with Chinese partners can continue indefinitely. (New Society)