Local people in Papua New Guinea, a South Pacific island, always speak highly of Chinese doctors.

Since 2002, China has sent nine medical teams to provide more than 100,000 medical services to the local people, greatly enhancing the friendship between the two countries.

The medical health system is relatively backward in the country. It has 500 doctors to serve 8 million people and they have little experience in advanced medical technologies such as minimally invasive procedures and telemedicine.

A football player suffering from a kidney stone and hydronephrosis recovered after undergoing minimally invasive surgery with the help of the Chinese medical team and was discharged from hospital in only two days. 

A four-year-old child was at risk of paralysis and in urgent need of surgery, but even the largest local public hospital had no experience in this kind of treatment. With surgery and acupuncture from the Chinese medical team, the child quickly recovered.

Many other similar cases happen every year.

The ninth medical team provides free medical treatment in New Ireland Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

At the end of June 2018, the ninth medical team began a new one-year stint in PNG. Since their arrival, the team has successfully treated nearly 8,000 patients and completed more than 300 operations, many of which were the first in the country.

In addition, with the help of the Chinese embassy in PNG, the medical team went to remote areas such as New Ireland and Madang to provide free medical treatment and donate medicines and medical equipment to local hospitals.

"China has offered aid to us in many areas, which reflects China's friendship with us and image as a responsible power country," said Pava, a native of Madang who has studied at China's Nanchang University and speaks Chinese fluently.

The medical team has not only brought urgently needed medical staff and advanced equipment, technologies and ideas, but also trained a group of local medical personnel.

During outpatient services and surgeries, the Chinese doctors often explain while operating. They also give hands-on demonstrations of complicated surgical techniques. Under the guidance of the medical team, some local doctors have initially mastered the techniques for minimally invasive surgery.

The team recently participated in the first Sino-PNG minimally invasive urology surgery forum with a short-term expert group from China. This is the first high-standard medical professional conference held in PNG. Chinese doctors shared the latest medical theories, technology development, specific medical treatment norms and surgical techniques, greatly benefiting the local doctors.

"This meeting gave us insight into the advanced technologies and the latest concepts in the field of urology surgery," said Osborne Liko, chairman of the Medical Board of PNG.

In 2018, PNG signed a cooperation agreement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative. Under this framework, the cooperation between the two countries in the field of health care will be deepened.

At present, the ninth medical team is promoting the construction of a minimally invasive urology center. Upon completion, the center will not only serve PNG, but also neighboring countries.

China will also send a medical team in the near future to assist PNG in telemedicine services, further improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PNG and benefiting the local people.

The ninth medical team donates medicines and medical equipment to local hospitals in Madang province. [Photo/Xinhua]