Chinese Government dispatches 18th medical team to Mahitsy District Reference Hospital, Vatomandry District Reference Hospital, Ambovombe Regional Reference Hospital, and Sambava Regional Reference Hospital

Project narrative

Since 1975, the Chinese Government has sent 22 medical teams to Madagascar from Gansu Province. On November 11, 2010, the 18th medical team deployed to Madagascar. Then, on November 14, 2010, the Malagasy Ministry of Health held a welcoming ceremony for the team. The 18th medical team included 30 members (with expertise in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology) who were stationed at Mahitsy District Reference Hospital, Vatomandry District Reference Hospital, Ambovombe Regional Reference Hospital, and Sambava Regional Reference Hospital. They completed their 2-year term of service in late 2012. The team reportedly undertook 8,000 surgeries and 100,000 external consultations with Malagasy patients. The reported cost of the 18th medical team, which was provided as an in-kind donation by the Chinese Government, was $194,903. This project is a recurring commitment with a two year duration stay. Since 1975, China Gansu Province has sent medical teams to Madagascar and has additionally provided medical supplies for the teams to use. As of 2016, 20 teams and 594 Chinese doctors worked in four cities in the country. The following projects are among those teams sent to Madagascar by China: the 13th medical aid team to Madagascar (#72726), the 14th medical aid team (#72727), the 15th medical aid team to Madagascar (#911), 16th medical aid team (#920), 17th medical aid team (#1020), 19th medical aid team (#35501), and 20th medical aid team (#35502), and the 21st medical aid team (#60028).