Under the arrangement of China’s National Health Commission, the team was selected by Liaoning Province from Shenyang. It comprises nine medical specialists and one interpreter, led by Dr. Xiao, a consultant anesthetist.
The specialists cover areas where The Gambia faces critical shortages: Cardiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Ultrasonography, Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Surgery, Orthopedics, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The team also includes one traditional Chinese medicine practitioner continuing from the previous team.
All members come from tertiary hospitals in Liaoning Province and bring strong clinical experience. The interpreter will ensure smooth communication between the team, local patients, and health partners.
The team will be based at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul. According to Chief Medical Director Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, EFSTH is the best location for the team to maximize impact given their high-level skills.
During the 12-month mission, the team will provide daily clinical services, emergency and critical care, and public health screening at EFSTH. Key strengths include pediatric surgery, minimally invasive general surgery, ultrasound-guided interventional therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Beyond the hospital, the team will advance paired hospital development, conduct grassroots outreach clinics, and organize free medical camps across all regions of The Gambia. Through bedside teaching and hands-on training, they will also support the development of local medical staff to ensure lasting improvements in healthcare capacity.
Speaking at the welcome, Xian Sun, Second Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Banjul, noted that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and The Gambia.
“Over the past decade, health cooperation has become one of the strongest and most meaningful areas of the partnership, bringing real benefits to the Gambian people,” she said.
She added that Chinese medical teams have provided clinical services, surgeries, outreach clinics, and public health education nationwide. Key areas of support include maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and malaria prevention, with a focus on improving access to quality care at the community level.
Sun emphasized capacity building as a core pillar. “Through training, mentoring, and professional exchanges, Chinese doctors work closely with their Gambian colleagues to strengthen local medical expertise and help build a sustainable healthcare system,” she said. She assured the Embassy’s continued support for the new team and pledged closer work with the Ministry of Health on public health, medical training, and primary healthcare.
Dr. Momodou T. Nyassi, Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, thanked the team and President Adama Barrow for strengthening bilateral ties. “As a sector, we have been receiving a lot of support from China. These are key specialists we need to help strengthen our health system in the country,” he said.
The arrival of the 24th team reaffirms the enduring China–Gambia health partnership and its focus on service delivery, skills transfer, and long-term health system strengthening.
