Zambia has honored the 18th Chinese Medical Team for its exemplary contribution to the provision of healthcare services in the last one year.

The team was awarded with a Certificate of Honor during a ceremony Wednesday attended by both Zambian government and Chinese embassy officials.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Kennedy Malama said the team which has been in Zambia for the last one year has left an indelible footprint which shall not be forgotten because of its exemplary commitment to duty.

He said Zambian medical doctors have learned a lot from the team whose work has been incident-free as well as the sharing of their knowledge with the local personnel.

"We commend the Medical Team for your contribution in the last one year. It is very clear that Zambia would not have been the same without this support we are getting from China in the health sector," he said.

The establishment of a telemedicine link at the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital is another milestone to the improvement of health care delivery brought by the team which has helped local personnel make correct diagnosis.

According to him, Zambia appreciates China's support to the health sector which dates back to the 1970s, adding that it was delightful that the support has continued to increase over the years.

Apart from the medical teams that have been coming, Zambia has benefited greatly from China through training of health personnel, donation of medical equipment as well as the construction of infrastructure such as the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital whose capacity will soon be expanded from 150 to 850 beds.

Chen Shijie, the Charge d' Affaires at the Chinese Embassy said the Medical Team has brought not only high level medical treatment technologies but also the traditional Chinese medical methods like acupuncture and manipulation therapy to Zambia.

The team, he said, has also helped build the capacity of local medical staff by imparting them with knowledge on how to use new technologies.

Since 1978, China has dispatched 487 doctors to Zambia, he added.

While appreciating the level of cooperation in the health sector between the two countries, the official said more cooperation in the areas of medical equipment and medicine was needed, adding that China was eager to work closely with Zambia to promote the health cooperation to a higher level.

"It is our sincere hope that, with more favorable policy support from the Zambia government, more China medical equipment and medicine could have access to Zambia market, which I am sure, will help to alleviate the shortage of medicines in Zambia," he said.

Gou Jianjun, Team Leader of the Medical Team commended the support his team has received during its tour of duty in Zambia from both the government and local people.

He said the establishment of the telemedicine systems in which Zambian hospitals are connected to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province have resulted in fruitful activities such as discussion of difficult cases, live telecasting of surgeries and international academic exchanges.

This has played a positive role in strengthening the exchange and cooperation in the medical field between China and Zambia, he added.

Plans to establish the China-Zambia Endoscopy Center is also expected to increase competence of Zambia's local hospitals in diagnosis and treatment to a new level.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2017)