The outreach, organised by the 23rd Chinese Medical Team, was officially launched at Bansang Hospital in the Central River Region, alongside the donation of medicines and medical equipment to support healthcare delivery at the facility. The programme is expected to conclude on Friday, 17 April 2026.
Counsellor Tong emphasised that China remains committed to strengthening its health cooperation with The Gambia by expanding areas of collaboration and improving both the quality and effectiveness of joint initiatives.
“Taking this free medical outreach as a bond, we hope China-Gambia friendship will grow deeper through mutual assistance in people’s livelihoods, and our health cooperation will yield more fruits that benefit the two peoples,” he said.
The initiative also marks the 10th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Government of The Gambia and the People’s Republic of China, a milestone that Tong described as a decade of “in-depth development and fruitful achievements,” particularly in the health sector.
According to him, the past ten years have seen the establishment of a comprehensive framework for health cooperation, driven by a shared commitment to safeguarding public health and delivering tangible benefits to Gambians.
He noted that China has consistently dispatched highly skilled medical teams to The Gambia, providing on-site diagnosis and treatment, managing complex medical cases, and building trust with local communities.
“We have steadily advanced the counterpart hospital cooperation mechanism,” Tong added, highlighting that the first phase of gynecological specialty cooperation has delivered significant results, particularly in improving women’s health. He further revealed that a second phase focusing on surgical cooperation is set to begin, aimed at addressing growing demand for specialised medical care.
The outreach at Bansang underscores the expanding partnership between the two countries, with health cooperation emerging as a central pillar in strengthening bilateral ties and improving access to quality healthcare services across The Gambia.
