In February this year, the 20th group of Chinese medical personnel in Guinea-Bissau, in collaboration with the country's Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education, jointly launched the “Health in Schools” series of activities. Since the official launch of the program on May 20, a team of 14 Chinese doctors—specializing in more than ten areas, including pediatrics, gastroenterology, general surgery, dermatology, and cardiology—have been providing free consultations at five schools in the capital, Bissau.

“The Chinese doctors are very professional and patient. Not only did they conduct physical examinations on our students, but they also gave highly professional lectures. Many students normally have difficulty obtaining medical care, so this opportunity to receive treatment directly at school is very rare,” said Mamadú Lamarana, director of the Samora Moisés Machel school.

Since 1976, when China sent its first medical team at the request of the Guinea-Bissau government, 20 teams with more than 300 professionals have been deployed to the country. The 20th team, which arrived in May 2024, is based mainly at the Sino-Guinean Friendship Hospital, where it continues to develop clinical services, training, and community health education.

(Source: Xinhua Portuguese, on June 16)