THE Ministry of Public Health and the Chinese Embassy in Guyana on Saturday evening hosted a dinner to bid farewell to the 13th Chinese Medical Brigade and welcome the 14th batch of Chinese doctors to Guyana.

Delivering remarks was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who congratulated the outgoing medical team for successfully completing their one-year voluntary stint in the country. “During this period, I have met with members of the team and have appreciated their commitment not only to the duty but to reaching out to our people in the rural communities. I recall warmly the team’s visits with us to Berbice and elsewhere.”
He wished the outgoing team success as they reunite with their families in China and expressed optimism that one day they will return to Guyana where they now have many friends. “… we will remember them and should we visit China in the future we would certainly request Jiangsu Province and, more especially, the City of Lianyungang.”
In her remarks, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence said the government recognises the wide range of knowledge and expertise that the Chinese Government has extended over the years to the people of Guyana through the annual mission of the Chinese Medical Teams. She noted that Guyana has witnessed the deepening and strengthening of the relationship between the two countries, engendered by the interaction of the medical teams, the health care providers and the beneficiaries.

“As the Minister of Public Health, I wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the solidarity, support and invaluable service to the health sector”.
Minister Lawrence also extended gratitude to the outgoing team for their expertise and assistance in the recently concluded four-day Health Expo held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre. The 13th Chinese Medical team comprised a total of 16 specialists, 11 of whom were stationed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), while five members were assigned to the Linden Hospital (LHC). The doctors shared their knowledge and experience with their colleagues at the two hospitals in the areas of Pathology, Radiology, and Genealogy among others.

The outgoing leader of the 13th Medical team, Dr. Lui Yi highlighted that the group would have treated some 30,000 patients, conducted some 3000 operations at the GPHC and the LHC and held some 11 outreaches in rural and remote areas. Dr. Li said the team had developed a deep friendship with the Guyanese people and their colleagues at the respective hospitals.

Incoming leader of the 14th medical team, Dr. Shen Jian assured the outgoing team that his batch of doctors will continue in their footsteps.

Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Missions, Chinese Embassy in Guyana, Chen Xilai, congratulated the outgoing team for their success over their one-year period. He also noted that the relationship between Guyana and China will continue to grow since it has been 25 consecutive years of Chinese medical teams coming to Guyana. The most recent 14-member team will see 10 doctors stationed at the GPHC and four at the LHC. (DPI)