Chinese medical experts return after aid mission in Kazakhstan

Medical experts aiding Kazakhstan’s anti-epidemic fight arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Northwest China's Xinjiang autonomous region on April 23. [CCTV]

A medical team of 12 experts arrived at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Northwest China's Xinjiang autonomous region on April 23 after a two-week aid mission in Kazakhstan.

Over the 14-days in Nursultan, Karaganda and Almaty the team worked with local medical workers on the front line, visiting the public health emergency operations center, a national heart surgery institution and designated quarantine facilities.

They also held meetings with local public health authorities and medical colleges and universities online and offline, sharing their experience in COVID-19 case screening, prevention and control of infectious diseases, patient management, clinical diagnosis and treatment, intensive care, community health management and laboratory operations.

In addition, the team helped Kazakhstan update its guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and trained staff workers from hospitals, public health authorities, laboratories and communities.

Online lectures on COVID-19 prevention and treatment were also given to local Chinese, including students and employees of Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese.

The experts’ tailored suggestions and professional knowledge were well received by the Kazakh government, medical staff and others from all walks of life.

 Kazakh Health Minister Yelzhan Birtanov said that China gained abundant experience in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and he appreciated the Chinese experts' contribution to his country’s anti-epidemic battle.

The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Shakhrat Nuryshev spoke highly of China’s practical help, saying that the Chinese side has demonstrated the good neighborly friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries with its practical actions.

He also praised the Chinese experts’ outstanding skills, hospitality and amity, which impressed their local counterparts and the Kazakh people and offered strong support to the country’s anti-virus fight.