Africa-Press – Gambia. The Government of the People’s Republic of China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening The Gambia’s healthcare sector with the official handover of a new Chinese medical team.
The transition ceremony, held Friday at the Chinese Embassy in Banjul, marked the arrival of the 23rd China Medical Team, succeeding the outgoing 22nd batch.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, Liu Jin, hailed the enduring partnership between the two nations, emphasizing health as one of the six core pillars of China-Gambia cooperation.
“This ceremony not only marks the handover between two dedicated teams of professionals but also celebrates the continued collaboration between our countries in the field of healthcare,” Ambassador Liu said. “Since the resumption of diplomatic ties, Chinese medical teams have returned to The Gambia, demonstrating courage, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to saving lives.”
He commended the 22nd China Medical Team for their service, noting they had overcome language barriers and infrastructure limitations to deliver quality medical care to thousands of Gambians.
The Ambassador revealed that since July 2024, China has contributed medical supplies worth D15 million to The Gambia. This includes D5 million in support from the China Medical Team and D10 million through the Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism. He further noted the active collaboration between Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University and the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), including training exchanges and medical expertise sharing.
“In June, two Gambian doctors travelled to China for a six-month training program in gynecology. These efforts underscore our shared vision of building a China-Gambia community of health for all,” Liu added.
Dr. Cai Guiyang, head of the outgoing 22nd China Medical Team, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments over the past year. He highlighted the completion of clinical services, teaching, and training programs, as well as their significant contribution through the paired hospital initiative.
“Our team has set a new record in medical cooperation with EFSTH,” Dr. Cai noted. “We are deeply grateful for the support from the Chinese Embassy, the Ministry of Health, EFSTH staff, and the Gambian public.”
EFSTH’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, thanked the outgoing doctors for their dedication and impact. He encouraged the new team to maintain open communication, particularly in addressing challenges, to ensure sustained progress in the partnership.
As China and The Gambia continue to deepen their bilateral ties, the renewed presence of the Chinese medical team is expected to reinforce healthcare delivery and capacity-building efforts across the country.
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