On 30th July, 2023, a group of Chinese doctors offered much-needed medical services to approximately 240 workers at the Eastern Industry Zone (EIZ), located about 40 km south of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ethiopia, the ninth batch of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Medical Team in Ethiopia, and the Chinese-invested Addis Ababa Silk Road General Hospital. The initiative was aptly themed “We Care: Ethiopian Workers’ Health.”
Among the beneficiaries of this initiative was Tariku Mamo, a translator employed at a food processing company at the EIZ. Mamo expressed his gratitude, stating, “For long, I have been suffering from knee pain and today I received treatment from the Chinese doctors with the help of imaging service. They told me that it’s not a serious issue. They also advised me on what to do to help alleviate the pain.”
Mamo added, “I am very thankful for the service and their dedication in terms of helping us safeguard our health. This means a lot to us.”
The event catered to a variety of medical needs as a team of Chinese doctors with specialties in neurology and neurosurgery, internal medicine, orthopedics, cardiology, ophthalmology, dentistry, urology, gynecology, and traditional Chinese medicine, among others, provided free medical treatment.
Mame Yadeto, an employee at a textile factory in the industrial zone, expressed the significance of the initiative, stating, “The free medical treatment is very important for us. Some of us have been struggling with underlying health problems while some others are simply checking their overall health conditions. The Chinese doctors are indeed providing much-needed treatment for us.”
Chen Zhaoqi, leader of the 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ethiopia, emphasized that beyond the immediate medical assistance, further medical examinations and follow-up treatments would be conducted at the Tirunesh-Beijing Hospital, where his team is based. It is noteworthy that China has been sending medical missions to Ethiopia since 1974.
“We will provide our support for the Ethiopian people and do our best to provide the best medical services for them,” said Zhaoqi, underscoring the commitment of the Chinese medical team to the well-being of the Ethiopian community.
This showcased the collaborative efforts between China and Ethiopia and also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing healthcare challenges and enhancing public health in the region.
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