The occasion was held via a reception organised at the Embassy in which he also bade farewell to the 22nd Chinese Medical team that had previously served in the nation’s health sector.
The occasion also symbolised the continuation of the Chinese government commitment to improving healthcare delivery and provide professional medical support in The Gambia.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Liu Jin revealed that the occasion also marked the celebration of China Gambia health cooperation.
He noted that after the resumption of diplomatic ties of the two nations, China Medical Teams have returned to The Gambia, upholding the spirit of “featuring no fear of hardships, willingness to dedicate, saving lives and great love”.
He said that in the past days and nights, the 22nd China Medical Team has overcome language, infrastructure, and logistical challenges to provide quality care to thousands of Gambian patients.
Their commitment and professionalism, he said have earned high praise and recognition from across Gambian society.
He stated that healthcare is one of the six priority areas of China-Gambia cooperation and a key pillar of their bilateral relationship.
Since July 2024, China has provided medical supplies worth 15 million dalasis (about 5 million dalasis of supplies from China Medical Team, and 10 million dalasis from Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism).
He informed that on April 25, Accelerating Malaria Elimination Project was launched – which was fully funded by China at a tune of 2 million US dollars, and implemented via the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in The Gambia.
“In the first half of 2025, we invited over 500 Gambian people to participate in capacity building programmes in China, among them, 93 are from the health sector,” he said.
Ambassador Liu Jin announced that in August, China will send a professional ophthalmology team to The Gambia for a “Brightness Journey” mission where they will carry out over 200 cataract surgeries, helping patients regain their sight.
Dr Cai Guiyang, a gynaecologist and captain of the 22nd batch of China Medical Team revealed that with the mission of jointly building the China-Gambia community of health for all, they have successfully completed their clinical work, teaching, training, and paired hospital cooperation mechanism project between Shengjing Hospital of China medical university and EFSTH.
He confirmed that his team successfully performed multiple complex, high-risk, and rare disease surgeries.
Lamin Dampha, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health and Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, the Chief Medical Director at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, commended the government of China through its Embassy for their support through both the outgoing and new medical team.
