JUBA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 14th batch of the Chinese medical team in South Sudan delivered healthcare services to communities at the latest weekly clinical outreach session on Wednesday.
Conducted at the University of Juba clinic in the capital city, the session benefited not only enrolled students but also vulnerable people from surrounding communities.
Sonia Laku, 25, a medical student at the University of Juba, returned to the outreach clinic for follow-up care two months after her first visit.
Laku sought pain-relief plasters for her knee. Although the plasters she sought were temporarily unavailable, doctors prescribed alternative pain medication.
"Whenever I come here, I find not only students but also people from neighboring communities. The Chinese medical team has been providing great services to vulnerable people who are unable to access proper medical care due to the prevailing economic hardship," she said.
Chinese medicated pain plasters are widely utilized to provide temporary relief for minor muscle aches, joint stiffness, backaches, sprains, and bruises.
Margret Tabu Tereza, an engineering student who sought treatment for a severe headache, said Chinese doctors reassessed an elderly woman who had previously been diagnosed with diabetes at a private clinic.
"It was my first time visiting the clinic, and I saw Chinese doctors helping our people. I met an elderly woman who had been wrongly diagnosed with diabetes. The Chinese doctors noticed the anomaly and rectified this grave mistake," Tabu said.
The medical team's evaluation found that the woman did not have diabetes, and doctors prescribed medication for her actual condition.
Alfred Angwet Gai, a waste management supervisor at the University of Juba, returned to the campus clinic for a follow-up visit after receiving treatment for severe chest pain in the last session.
"I came here last week with terrible chest pain. The Chinese doctors examined me and gave me medicine that relieved the pain," Angwet said.
He said the team's outreach efforts also extend beyond the university, bringing health care services to communities in other parts of the country.
Li Zheng, a gynecologist in the 14th batch of the Chinese medical team, said that many patients arrive with advanced or deteriorated conditions primarily due to delays in receiving timely medical intervention.
Individuals seeking care at the outreach clinics frequently present with a wide range of ailments, including chronic abdominal discomfort, joint and musculoskeletal pain, hypertension, and diabetes, Li added.
"We not only treat the patients but also provide them with medical advice on healthy living such as good eating habits and adequate rest," Li said. ■