The handover ceremony, held at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy, also marked the farewell to the 22nd Chinese Medical Team, which had been serving in the country over the past year.
The event symbolised the continued commitment of the Chinese government to strengthening healthcare delivery and providing professional medical support in The Gambia.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Liu Jin highlighted that the occasion also celebrated the enduring China–Gambia health cooperation. He noted that since the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Chinese medical teams have returned to The Gambia, upholding the spirit of “fearless dedication, saving lives, and great love.”
He praised the 22nd Chinese Medical Team for their resilience and professionalism, stating that they had overcome language barriers, infrastructural limitations, and logistical challenges to deliver quality healthcare to thousands of Gambian patients. Their efforts, he said, had earned widespread recognition and appreciation across Gambian society.
Ambassador Liu reaffirmed that healthcare remains 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 from the China Medical Team, and 10 million dalasis through the Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism.”
He also announced the launch of the Accelerating Malaria Elimination Project on 25 April, fully funded by China with a contribution of 2 million US dollars. The project is being implemented through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in The Gambia.
“In the first half of 2025, we invited over 500 Gambians to participate in capacity-building programmes in China, including 93 from the health sector,” he added.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Liu revealed that in August, China will dispatch a professional ophthalmology team to The Gambia for the “Brightness Journey” mission. The team is expected to perform over 200 cataract surgeries, helping patients regain their sight.
Dr Cai Guiyang, a gynaecologist and captain of the 22nd Chinese Medical Team, reflected on their mission to build a China–Gambia community of health for all. He reported that the team had successfully completed clinical work, teaching, training, and collaborative projects under the Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism between Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University and the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH).
He confirmed that the team had performed numerous complex, high-risk, and rare surgical procedures during their tenure.
