CHINA MAMA: Dr. Wei Zhong talks to one of her young patients at the Orotta Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea (ADYAM GEBREYSUS)

Neurologist, Dr. Li Qingtang had visions of bad weather, drought and unsafe living conditions before he set foot on African soil. "After I came to Eritrea I found all my knowledge about Africa was wrong. I am deeply impressed by the comfortable climate, kind people and safe living environment," he said.

Being the only neurologist in the country coupled with a shortage of medical instruments and lack of communication ability made the first six months of his work challenging, to say the least. But times change. "Now I can describe cases easily and can communicate with the local doctors with my improved English without any problem," said Dr. Li.

The enterprising medical professional took up the challenge of being without equipment by making instruments himself and cites Hydrocephalus (an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain that can compress and damage the brain) as a common disease in Eritrea. He has already operated successfully on more than 20 children and been given the moniker "savior" by work colleagues. His other operating statistics are impressive - 100 surgeries on brain tumors, head injuries and brain hematoma, all with a 99 percent success rate.

Teaching also occupies a large part of his time and he has given neurosurgery training to two local doctors who are currently are performing minor surgeries in the hospital.

Despite missing his family Dr. Li wants to stay on in Eritrea. He has grown fond of the local food especially injera bread and enjoys swimming and siteseeing in Massawa.

Dr. Zhang Jinyue, medical imaging doctor assigned to work in Eritrea in 2009, settled in to his new home with little fuss. The warm welcome he received from day one has left a deep impression on him, according to Dr. Zhang.  He was quick to learn the local culture and like his colleagues, the lack of medical equipment is a challenge he meets headon. With only one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and two CT scan machines in the country, the Sembel Hospital in which Dr. Zhang works is crowded with patients daily.

He strongly believes that doctors should have skill, work ethics and be responsible and it is these attributes that enable him to diagnose about 60 patients per day. "I set my own rules in order to give fair and quick service," said Dr. Zhang. He always treats rural patients first as they cannot afford the costs of staying in town overnight, tends to emergency patients quickly and never leaves the hospital until all patients have been seen. He said he sometimes even misses out on meals because of his rules.

Dr. Zhang is head of the imaging department, which includes X-ray, CT scans and MRI and hopes to stay longer than the mandatory two-year period. His goal is to ultimately teach local doctors how to read the imaging film and how to diagnose the diseases themselves, so that after he goes back to China they will be able to work out by themselves. After work he likes to relax with a cup of Eritrean coffee.

Dr. Liu Yingjie, an orthopedic specialist, has been working at Halibet, a public hospital in Asmara, since arrived in January 2009. Dr. Liu said that despite the big differences in all aspects of life in Eritrea he was surprised how quickly he settled in.

The working conditions are under strain, said Dr. Liu. With only three orthopedic surgeons operating on 20-30 patients a week and the shortage of medical instruments he said the working conditions are stressful. Despite this Dr. Liu is energized by the patient successes and the general positive attitude around him.

Apart from enjoying the local cuisine and fresh air whenever he can, Dr. Liu is trying to learn some Tigrigna, the local language, as well as teaching his local friends Chinese.

Locals know Dr. Wei Zhong, a pediatrician working in Orotta Hospital for over a year, as "China Mother." Her focus is premature babies and with an inflow of 300 premature infants requiring treatment monthly the two pediatricians and handful of nurses are hard pressed to keep up.  Initially she had trouble breathing in the lower altitude but now enjoys learning the culture and enjoys the abundance of fresh fruits available.

 "I have never seen a country like Eritrea which is safe and clean to live. I really like the atmosphere here," said Dr. Wei. She said she always feel proud of herself of being a Chinese doctor saving lives in Eritrea. "I want to stay here in Eritrea for the rest of my life and bring changes to Eritreans," said Dr. Wei.

(Reporting from Eritrea)