— Chinese Ambassador hosts farewell/welcome reception
THE Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Yu Wenzhe, hosted a farewell reception on Tuesday evening for the ninth batch of medical doctors from the People’s Republic of China, who served for two years in this country. The function was also to welcome the tenth batch, which will be replacing the ninth batch.
Held at the Chinese Embassy at Lot 2 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, the event was graced with the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, currently performing the duties of President, and Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Hinds hailed the ninth batch of Chinese doctors for their contributions to Guyana during the time spent here.
He said that, over the last two years, transformation of the local health sector had been evident, stemming from the training courses that were conducted by the Chinese doctors.
“The outgoing team has made a very valuable contribution to the people and the Government of Guyana. The local staff has been boosted with the two years of training by the Chinese doctors,” Mr. Hinds acknowledged.
He said that during the time those doctors spent in Guyana, Guyanese in the health sector benefited from training in several complex areas of medicine and surgical procedures.
The Prime Minister added that Guyana has also derived benefit from the acquisition of modern medical equipment through the relations between the two countries.
He also recognised that, within the entire Latin America, Guyana has been lucky enough to have close ties with China; and in light of this continuously growing relationship, the Chinese have continued to extend their services.

Partnership
The Prime Minister said Guyana will continue looking forward to strengthening relations with China. He noted that this is the fortieth year since the two countries have been in partnership.
“Tonight’s event signifies an unshakable partnership between the two countries,” Hinds stated.
Ambassador Yu said, the Chinese medical team is a vivid embodiment of brotherly sentiments between the two peoples, and is proof of long-term friendly relationship and cooperation in the health sector between the two countries.
He said that over the past two years, 15 specialists and doctors of the ninth medical team have treated 45,000 out-patients and in-patients, and performed 4,500 surgeries.
“They frequently exchanged views with the local doctors, sharing knowledge and learning from each other; and made significant contributions to the capacity building of two hospitals,” the envoy said.
He disclosed that some modern equipment, valued at $36M, had been donated to two hospitals; and, together with their local counterparts, the Chinese created many first records in Guyana.
Among them are the liver tumor resection and thyroid tumor surgeries, which previously were never done at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Yu said all that would still not have been possible without the support of the Health Ministry, the GPHC, the Linden Hospital, and other relevant agencies.
He expressed confidence that the tenth Chinese medical team would perform their duties earnestly, and work closely with the Ministry of Health and colleagues of the relevant hospitals to deliver quality services to the Guyanese people, so as to further cement the China/Guyana friendship.