COTONOU, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese doctors on Friday provided free clinical services for local people at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Natitingou, about 450 km northwest of Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin.
The 26th Chinese medical team dispatched to Benin came from China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In addition to providing free medicines for patients, the doctors offered other free services to local communities, such as blood pressure checks, visual acuity tests, and traditional Chinese acupuncture.
"We hope to help patients and solve their problems caused by some common diseases through free clinical treatment," said Yang Zhilian, Chinese doctor in charge of this event.
Kouagou Housia, 40, told Xinhua that he appreciated the free clinical treatment from the Chinese team as he had been suffering from stomachache for five years and had no money to see a doctor.
China has sent a total of 26 medical teams to Benin since the first mission in 1978. The medical teams have been committed to ensuring the health of the Beninese people while maintaining the friendship between the two countries. ■