DAKAR, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Senegalese government on Monday honored all members of the 20th Chinese medical team to Senegal with the National Order of the Lion and certificates of honor in recognition of their contributions to the country's healthcare development.
The 20th Chinese medical team, composed of 14 members, arrived in Senegal in April 2024 for a two-year mission. During their stay, the team treated more than 20,000 outpatients at Diamniadio Children's Hospital and carried out 29 free medical outreach activities across the country, benefiting over 10,000 local residents.
At the ceremony held in the capital of Dakar, Senegalese Minister of Health and Social Action Ibrahima Sy presented the honors and certificates to the team members. He said the Chinese medical team helped strengthen local capacity in pediatric care and made positive contributions to medical training, clinical practice and professional exchanges.
Chinese Ambassador to Senegal Li Zhigang said the team has brought not only advanced medical expertise and much-needed medicines, but also demonstrated the compassion and humanitarian spirit of Chinese medical workers, making important contributions to deepening the traditional friendship between China and Senegal and advancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
Yang Yiguo, head of the 20th Chinese medical team, said the group has introduced more than 30 new medical techniques and programs at Diamniadio Children's Hospital during its mission, including neonatal deep venous catheterization, phacoemulsification for cataracts, and systematic traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation therapies.
More importantly, Yang noted that through hands-on mentoring and training, these techniques have gradually been mastered by Senegalese medical workers and incorporated into the hospital's routine clinical practice.
Members of the 21st Chinese medical team to Senegal also attended the ceremony. ■