Spanning Sixty Years of Watching and Helping Each Other - The Chinese Medical Team Assisting Algeria Composes a Touching Chapter of Shared Destiny between China and Algeria - Algeria | China | Medical Team

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 19 (Xinhua) - Over Sixty Years of Watching and Helping Each Other - China's Aid to Algeria Medical Team Composes a Touching Chapter of Shared Destiny between China and Algeria

Xinhua News Agency reporter handsome talent Wu Tianyu and Liu Youmin

In 1963, China dispatched its first foreign medical team to assist Algeria in rebuilding its healthcare system after the war. After gaining independence in 1962, Algeria faced the difficult situation of a shortage of medical supplies for its citizens and sought assistance from the international community. China was the first country to respond.

This 1965 photo shows Chinese aid doctors treating herdsmen in Saida Province, Algeria. Shen Jizhong

At the request of the Algerian Ministry of Health, the first Chinese medical aid team departed from Beijing on April 6, 1963, traveled for 10 days, passed through Moscow, Belgrade, and Rabat, and finally arrived in Saida, Algeria. Zhang Youming, a gynecologist at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, is one of them.

Zhang Youming, who is now 90 years old, told reporters that she has been working in Algeria for two and a half years and has successfully performed thousands of surgeries, allowing many local children to be born safely. She once wrote this passage in her diary: "I gave up my family reunion, solved the pain for people from other countries, and let them live a happy life. I also felt a sense of satisfaction and happiness in my heart, feeling the different value of life."

This is a photo of Dr. Zhang Youming from the Chinese medical team assisting Afghanistan in Algeria. Shen Jizhong

When working at Saida, Zhang Youming and his teammates underwent surgery during the day and learned French and Arabic at night. At the end of 1963, Zhang Youming admitted a mother with a dangerous placenta previa. At that time, the mother was bleeding heavily and her life was in danger. Zhang Youming promptly treated and saved the mother's life, successfully delivering the child. The mother later named her child "Chinese" in Arabic.

What impressed Zhang Youming the most was a herdsman named Sremani. This woman had difficulty giving birth, resulting in severe bleeding and shock. Zhang Youming successfully performed the surgery and the child was born smoothly. Zhang Youming stayed with the mother for several days and nights until she safely passed the critical period. Upon discharge, Sleimani thanked and said, "You are the person I trust the most."

This is a photo of Dr. Zhang Youming from the Chinese medical team assisting Afghanistan in Algeria. Shen Jizhong

In November 1965, when Zhang Youming left Saida, many patients held her hand reluctantly. Zhang Youming tearfully bid farewell to the patients.

Hubei doctor Xue Jin took over Zhang Youming's baton and worked locally from 1965 to 1968. Xue Jin recalled that there was only one doctor and one nurse who had returned from studying abroad in France at that time.

This is a photo of Dr. Xue Jin from the Chinese medical team assisting Afghanistan in Algeria. Shen Jizhong

Saida's natural environment is also very harsh. Sandstorms often occur, and drought and strong sunlight make it difficult for vegetables to survive. Despite this, batches of Chinese white angels silently contribute to the local healthcare industry in this small town known as the "Gate of the Desert".

Orthopedic doctor Tu Dachun works as a member of the 23rd batch of medical teams assisting Afghanistan in Saida. Due to a severe shortage of personnel in his department, Tu Dachun was on duty for three consecutive months from 8am to 10pm every day, and had to work an emergency night shift every three days. The dark blue surgical gown turned gray after being soaked in sweat for a long time.

On March 4, 2023, Chinese medical team doctor Tu Dachun conducted rounds at a public hospital in Aindifra Province, Algeria. Shen Jizhong

Over the past sixty years, China has dispatched 27 batches of medical teams and 3522 medical staff to Afghanistan, treating over 27 million patients and delivering over 2.07 million newborns. To this day, in Algeria, especially in the Sahara Desert and surrounding provinces, there is still a shortage of medical resources, and Chinese medical team members rooted in the local area still play an indispensable role.

The selfless dedication of the Chinese medical team is deeply remembered by the Algerian people. "The Chinese doctors working in our hospital love their work and are hardworking. They can call them for help at any time, whether during the day or at night," said Habish Bu Abdullah, the director of the Aindifra Provincial Public Hospital in Algeria, to reporters

"Chinese doctors always silently and selflessly contribute." Algerian girl Hana Ariwat is a 2019 doctoral student majoring in pharmacy at Xiangya School of Pharmacy, Central South University. She said that Chinese doctors not only deliver newborns locally, but also protect the lives of mothers. "The Chinese medical team provides genuine humanitarian assistance to Algeria, and they are truly unknown heroes."

On February 27, 2023, in Aindifra, Algeria, 63 year old Ariri Heira went to the hospital to thank Chinese medical team doctor Li Hongling. Shen Jizhong

According to Lei Lirong, the head of the Saida team of the 27th batch of medical aid teams in Afghanistan, 90% of obstetric surgeries in the province where Saida City is located are completed by Chinese doctors, and patients from four or five nearby provinces also come to visit. "Chinese doctors are too important to Saida," said Gerari Feltu, the director of obstetrics and gynecology at Saida Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, who has been working with Chinese doctors for 16 years

"In the future, I want to become a doctor like Dr. Li and help more people," 14-year-old girl Kedavi Anurni shyly told reporters. The Dr. Li in her mouth is Li Hongling, Deputy Chief Physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology. She was a member of the 25th and 27th batches of medical teams assisting Afghanistan and had undergone laparoscopic surgery to remove ovarian cysts for her. Anurni recalled that Dr. Li cared for and took care of her like a mother, and removed the cyst with a very small incision. The kindness and superb medical skills of Chinese doctors have planted the seeds of dreams in the hearts of girls.

The Chinese medical team not only saved lives and assisted the injured in Algeria, but also selflessly preserved medical knowledge and technology. Since the beginning of this year, Zhu Tao, Deputy Chief Physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Captain of the Setif Branch of the China Aid to Afghanistan Medical Team, will hold a special lecture for local medical staff every one to two weeks. After the lecture, simulation operations will be arranged, and local medical staff will examine difficult cases, analyze cases, and provide delivery and surgical teaching.

"The members of the Chinese medical team are diligent and responsible, passing on their experience and skills to Afghan doctors and students. We hope that such lectures can continue," said Najie Ahnak, the director of Setif Maternal and Child Hospital, to reporters.

On March 14, 2023, in Saida, Algeria, the Minister of Health of Saida Province, Ramuri Nasreddin, was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Tianyu

"When we lack medical personnel, China is the first to lend a helping hand. We are very grateful for the tremendous efforts made by Chinese doctors, especially Chinese obstetricians and gynecologists, over the past 60 years. We hope that the two countries can strengthen cooperation in more medical fields," said Ramuri Nasreddin, Director of the Health Department of Saida Province