18th medical team dispatched to Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, University of Zambia Teaching Hospital, Ndola General Hospital, and Livingstone Central Hospital

China has been sending medical teams to Zambia since 1978. Henan Province is responsible for sending the teams. The 18th medical team had a total of 28 members distributed across Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, University of Zambia Teaching Hospital (also known as University Teaching Hospital), Ndola General Hospital, and Livingstone Central Hospital. The team began its term of service between April 29, 2016 and was scheduled to depart in May 2017. On May 18, 2017 a welcome-home reception was held for the team. It primarily focused on the provision of general services, expertise, and training to Zambian hospital staff. The team also offered free clinics in rural areas and on the grounds of Chinese-funded enterprises. At a final awards ceremony, the head of the 18th medical team said that "the medical team anesthetized over 1,800 patients, worked on call more than 300 times, rescued 200 dangerous and serious cases, and gave over 20,000 reports of examinations and tests.” Overall, the team reportedly treated over 12,000 patients and conducted 1,500 surgeries. The 18th medical team also helped to develop Zambia's telemedicine capabilities (project #59257).

Additional details

In 2009, the Chinese Government provided a grant for the construction of the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital (see project #32627). The 18th Chinese medical team was the third Chinese medical team to have members stationed at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital. This team also worked on developing Zambia's telemedicine capabilities as described in linked to project #59257. Chinese medical teams have been dispatched to Zambia since 1978 and should not be confused with Chinese military medical teams, which have also been dispatched to Zambia. The Chinese military medical teams have been dispatched by the People's Liberation Army and not by Henan Province.”

Number of official sources

3

Number of total sources

5