"We and African people stood close with each other in difficult times, and it was an unforgettable experience." Hearing the news that the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held in her hometown of Changsha, Zhang Youming, a 90-year-old former Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, recalled her medical-aid experience to Africa.

Sixty years ago, Zhang Youming and her delegation comprising 13 members came to Algeria for medical aid. They were the first medical team sent by China to Africa.

Li Zhihong, Vice President of Central South University and President of the Second Xiangya Hospital, said that in the past sixty years, Second Xiangya Hospital has sent 25 teams, a total of 60 medical workers, to Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Algeria for medical aid, covering Departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Infection, Anesthesiology, Radiology, Ultrasound, Clinical Laboratory, etc. Second Xiangya Hospital is among the earliest and most actively involved Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals in Hunan Province to participate in African aid efforts, with the largest number of people dispatched.

Pioneering: saving lives in challenging and underserved areas

In 1963, after a decade of war, the health system of Algeria and the newly independent North African country, had been severely affected and was in a state of extreme vulnerability. Recognizing the urgent need for support, the Algerian government reached out to the international community, appealing for assistance from other nations.

China took the lead in the international community, shortlisting 13 medical workers from Beijing, Shanghai, Hunan and Hubei provinces as the first Chinese medical team to aid Algeria. Zhang Youming, an expert in obstetrics and gynecology, was one of them.

At the age of thirty, this remarkable individual embarked on her journey as a young attending physician. Little did she know that she would soon become a pioneering figure in aiding Africa. In May 1963, she took on the challenging role of a "Pioneering Doctor". Over the course of two and a half years, she fearlessly performed thousands of surgeries and ensured safe deliveries for numerous African children. Her dedication and skill earned her the trust and respect of the local community, especially the women, who affectionately referred to her as "the most trusted person."

In 1973, Hunan Province began to organize the first medical teams to Sierra Leone. Among the 18 team members, six were from the Second Xiangya Hospital. As 85-year-old Professor Li Hejun, an orthopedic specialist, opened a well-worn photo album, he delicately ran his fingertips over the group photos of the team members. With a nostalgic tone, he whispered the names of each member: "This is Professor Xiao Lucheng from the Department of Anesthesiology, this is Head Nurse Qin Aizhong, this is Professor Xu Li from the Department of Ophthalmology, and this is Professor Shi Zuorong from the Department of Cardiology..."

During that period, Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, was plagued by mosquitoes and malaria throughout the year. The lack of proper sanitation facilities and limited number of sanitation workers resulted in garbage piles attracting flies, creating an unsanitary environment. Additionally, the local population were used to eating consuming pilaf and raw, cold food, which further increased their susceptibility to diseases. “Among the prevalent health concerns, malaria was the most common ailment affecting the population”.

In addition to the challenging sanitary conditions, the healthcare system in Sierra Leone during that time was severely limited by the scarcity of medical equipment and qualified healthcare professionals. “With only a few dozen local health workers available, the task of establishing adequate medical facilities and services was daunting”. They swiftly installed a complete set of medical equipment that was provided as aid from China.

During the two years and four months, the medical teams from Second Xiangya Hospital witnessed a steady stream of patients seeking medical assistance, not only from various parts of Sierra Leone but also from neighboring countries. The overwhelming demand for healthcare services reflected the dire need for accessible and reliable medical care in the region. As Li Hejun and his teammates faced the crowd of patients, they were deeply moved by the sight of countless eyes filled with hope for better health and utmost respect for the doctors.

Holding fast to the position: responsibility, undertaking and sentiments

The sense of responsibility weighed heavily on the minds of the team members, as they reminisce about their homeland and loved ones left behind. However, rather than allowing this longing to consume them, they channeled their emotions into their work, transforming their yearning into a powerful driving force

"Back in China, all you had to do daily was being a good doctor, but here, you must be a doctor, a teacher, a nurse, an engineer, a plumber... starting everything from scratch." For retired pediatric professor Liu Baoping, memories of the rainy season in Serbia in early 1982 still resonate vividly.

"Seeing the Chinese national flag in front of the hospital everyday makes me feel the responsibility that I shoulder." Peng Qinghai from Department of Ultrasound, the oldest member of the 22nd medical team from China (Hunan) to Sierra Leone. At 55 years old, he took on the role of a mentor and elder brother to his teammates, offering guidance, support, and a listening ear. He went the extra mile by organizing collective birthday celebrations, creating a warm "home" for the medical team.

On October 1, 2012, as members of the 12th batch of Hunan medical team to Zimbabwe, Li Yijian, an urological surgeon, and Zhou Zheng, an orthopedic surgeon, came to a remote area in Mutare City, distributed medicine to over 300 local residents under the scorching sun.

Upon learning that it was China's National Day, local officials and the gathered crowd broke into song, joyously singing “Happy Birthday.” “They are chanting 'Sinua, Sinua' in rhythm. My tears suddenly come down and I understand that they are Shouting 'China, China'. I know that respect and gratitude is not only towards me, but also towards my country." Zhou Zheng recalled.

Thanks to the relentless dedication of generations of medical professionals, an increasing number of patients sought treatment at the hospitals where the medical teams were stationed. Filled with admiration for the expertise and compassionate care provided by the teams, these patients experienced healing, recovery, and eventually, were discharged from the hospitals.

On March 31, 2016, Dr. Tan Yi of the Department of Ultrasound, together with the pediatrician, treated the first mitral valve disease caused by rheumatic endocarditis in Sierra Leone.

On June 28, 2016, Associate Professor Tang Qi of Orthopedics, along with the collaborative efforts of nurse Zhang Xiao and an anesthesiologist, successfully performed the first full microscopic hemangioma resection in Sierra Leone for a 17-year-old girl Mace.

On July 4, 2018, Professor Duan Lunxi of the Department of General Surgery successfully performed the first surgery to remove the lump in the right breast while preserving the breast under high epidural anesthesia for a patient in Sierra Leone.

On February 25, 2022, Associate Professor Yu Ling of Obstetrics and Gynecology carried out the first painless delivery in the local area for a Chinese woman who successfully gave birth to a healthy baby.

On March 23, 2023, Zhang Leiyi, Associate Professor of Thyroid Surgery, carried out the first complex ankle injury repair and fibula fracture open reduction and internal fixation in the local area.

……

Based on incomplete statistics, the medical staff from the Second Xiangya Hospital have provided medical treatment to hundreds of thousands of patients in Africa. Their dedication and expertise have made them the most popular individuals in the communities they serve.

Li Yun, a professor of ophthalmology, has made a profound impact during his four trips to Africa as part of the “March towards Brightness” initiative. The memories of the heartfelt reactions from the local people remain vivid in his mind. "The moment they see me, some would burst out in laughter and dance, some would give me a thumbs up, some would shake hands with me hard, and some would stand up and hug me."

These genuine and immediate emotional responses from the local population demonstrated the tangible impact and gratitude generated by bringing health to their lives. The efforts, challenges, and sacrifices endured by medical workers engaged in African aid missions have become truly meaningful.

Mission: fighting the epidemic as a community with a shared future for mankind

Mosquito breeding and malaria outbreak at that time in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone has a population of nearly seven million, but fewer than 200 registered doctors and even fewer infection specialists. In the face of raging infectious diseases, Second Xiangya Hospital sent a number of infection experts during the medical assistance to Africa.

In the post-Ebola period in 2016, Liang Jun from the Department of Infectious Disease went out with the 18th batch of Chinese (Hunan) medical team to Sierra Leone, "In the first half year, we all worked in protective clothing. An inadvertence could be life-threatening!"

"I knew before I left that malaria and typhoid were rampant here, but it was beyond my imagination." Qiu Cailiang, a member of the 20th batch of Chinese (Hunan) medical team to Sierra Leone and Matron the Department of Infectious Disease, recalled that when she arrived in 2018, it was the rainy season in Sierra Leone, and the ward she was responsible for was particularly struck by malaria and typhoid. The constant high occupancy of hospital beds and the long working hours reflected the overwhelming demand for healthcare services. It was not uncommon for healthcare workers to face challenging situations where they needed to work late into the night to provide care for their patients. "I myself have been infected with typhoid. To keep operation in order, I have to persevere against all odds".

In 2020, COVID-19 broke out globally. On March 31, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Sierra Leone, and the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital was the main designated hospital for treatment in Sierra Leone. At that time, Luo Kaizhong, Zhu Bin, Yang Hui, and Lu Sheng, four doctors from Second Xiangya Hospital, were in Africa. Luo Kaizhong is a doctor from the Department of Infectious Disease, and Lu Sheng is a nurse in the same department. Originally scheduled to end the mission in June, they decided with their teammates to postpone their return to stick to the frontline of the epidemic in Sierra Leone.

During the pandemic, while carrying out personal protection, Luo Kaizhong and Lu Sheng took the lead in conducting protection training, treating patients, guiding the public to treat the epidemic correctly, and eliminating panic. Before returning to China, the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital had treated 77 confirmed COVID-19 patients and cured 72 of them, including the three youngest local children infected.

At the same time, Wang Wenlong, Associate Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases, traveled 3,600 kilometers across the African continent as a member of the Chinese (Hunan) anti-pandemic medical expert team, visiting 72 institutions and units. "We go into isolation wards to discuss cases with clinical staff, disseminate preventive knowledge to local communities, offer advice and answers to senior government officials, and submit the National Recommendation on COVID-19 Prevention and Control." "The focus of COVID-19 prevention and control lies in prevention, and self-protection of medical workers is particularly crucial," Wang said. "I tell this to medical workers in Africa, and it was quite important."

In addition to devoting themselves to treating patients, the medical staff also volunteered in China’s Initiative “Spring Sprout Action" to inoculate overseas Chinese against COVID-19. "About 3,600 doses of domestic COVID-19 vaccine have been administered free of charge.." Liu Huan, a member of the 22nd Chinese (Hunan) medical team to Sierra Leone and a radiologist, said that the Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone and his wife also favored Chinese vaccines and personally went to the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital for vaccination.

Betterment: invisible medical team

“Thank you!” That was the word that the local medical staff said most frequently when communicating with the Chinese doctors from Second Xiangya Hospital.

In February and June 2016, Hunan Province sent 20 medical workers to Sierra Leone in two batches as the 18th medical team of China (Hunan), of which 8 were from the Second Xiangya Hospital. Teng Chaoyu, senior clinical engineer of the Blood Purification Center of Second Xiangya Hospital, served as the team leader and the Chinese President of Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, participated in the management of hospital affairs, assisted Sierra Leone in improving management and setting up special departments, hoping to build this hospital into "the best in West Africa".

Teng Chaoyu and his teammates realized that the greatest value of their presence here lay not only in how many difficult surgeries they have completed, but also in the improvement of the local medical level.

The medical team has conducted over 30 teaching sessions, including teaching demonstrations, surgical instruction, and skills training. These activities covered more than 500 individuals and trained over 40 qualified medical personnel who were capable of working independently. The team has utilized various forms to impart knowledge and skills such as “teaching, assistance and guidance”, ensuring the development of capable healthcare professionals.

One local doctor at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital gave himself a Chinese name: Bruce Lee. "It was the Chinese doctors who taught me how to be a qualified doctor at lab." Bruce Lee said that he has been able to skillfully operate medical equipment and independently complete clinical testing and analysis of a variety of diseases.

"The biggest task is not just performing surgeries, but establishing a Cataract Specialty Surgical Center at least one place at a time," said Li Yun, who has been aided Africa for four times, also has a similar experience. Before leaving, she prepared specialized training materials, provided guidance on surgeries and ophthalmology to local medical students and engaged in academic exchanges with local doctors. Her aim was to leave behind a legacy of knowledge and expertise, contributing to the development of an "invisible medical team" that can continue providing quality care even after their departure.

Over the past 60 years, successive generations of medical teams to Africa have brought not only the medical and health services of Second Xiangya Hospital to the continent. Through their clinical expertise in diagnosis and treatment, efforts in disease and epidemic prevention, and the generous donation of medicines and equipment, they have made a significant contributions to Africa. However, their contributions extend beyond the provision of medical services. They have also shared the spirit, technology, and compassion of Second Xiangya Hospital with the people of Africa.

As an ancient Chinese poem reads, “Green hills immerse in the same cloud and rain. The same moon lights up towns however far away.” It reflects the unity and shared destiny of Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.

Chai Xiangping, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, said that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and also the 60th anniversary of the hospital's aid work in Africa. All the medical workers of Second Xiangya Hospital will bear in mind the instructions of President Xi Jinping. With a broad perspective and a dedication to building a community with a shared future for mankind, Second Xiangya Hospital will strive to make new and greater contributions in this new era.

Source： The Second Xiangya Hospital，CSU