Long-standing dedication
The leader of the first Chinese medical team to Ethiopia Mei Gengnian is still remembered with respect long after he passed away in Ethiopia in a car accident. He was buried in Jima, southwest of Addis Ababa, and even today, on Tomb Sweeping Day when the Chinese honor their ancestors, officials and locals pay tribute to him.
Henan Province in central China started to send medical teams to Ethiopia in the 1970s. A total of 327 medical personnel in 21 teams have been sent to four cities along with Ethiopian medical practitioners. Both sides have been learning from each other.
At BGH, Qiao could not even find time for lunch because there were a lot of people waiting to be treated by her. She has been treating about 100 people every day. “I feel sad to see the large number of patients waiting for treatment but at the same time, I am gratified when they say that they are better than before.”
Qiao said that she had heard a lot about the previous medical team members to Ethiopia, who gave a dedicated service to the ill. “I also tell myself that during my stay here, I will treat as many patients as possible,” she said, adding that she would like to popularize acupuncture in Ethiopia because it can cure several illnesses just with needles. Ethiopia suffers from a lack of medicine and medical equipment.
Statistics show that non-communicable diseases are on the rise in Ethiopia. As the Government of Ethiopia develops and implements policies and strategies for the management of the main chronic non-communicable diseases, there is a focus on TCM since many of these diseases, like sciatica, can be treated with the ancient treatment method.
During their five-day free medical service at BGH, the team also donated medical equipment worth over 500,000 Ethiopian birr ($21,609).
According to the team leader, chief physician Zhang, the need at the hospital was beyond their imagination. “Apart from our regular work at the Tirunesh-beijing Ethio-china Friendship Hospital, we are ready to travel to other hospitals so that we can help more people who need our treatment,” Zhang said.
Abiy Ahmed, head of Urban Development and Housing Bureau in Oromia Regional State, said the Chinese assistance was improving Ethiopia’s capacity for better medical care and public health. “There is a high need for skill training that will help the local health practitioners,” Ahmed added.