Chongqing - The 11th China Medical Team to Papua New Guinea successfully completed its mission. On the evening of August 10, eight team members arrived at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, while two remained in Papua New Guinea. 

The 11th China Medical Team to Papua New Guinea comprises clinical experts from first-class tertiary hospitals in Chongqing. Two doctors and five masters specialize in urology, obstetrics, gynecology, cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, and neonatology, with an average age of 39.

The 11th China Medical Team to Papua New Guinea arrived at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport on August 10. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Departing from Chongqing on March 11, 2021, the team had served in Papua New Guinea for more than one year, providing medical services to local people and extensive training to their peers at Port Moresby General Hospital. They planned to return to China in March 2022. However, due to the covid-19, the stay was extended until the end of July 2022. 

As the captain, Chen Guozhu, the vice chief physician of the Cardiovascular Department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, accepted the interview from Chongqing.

An emotional reunion between a wife and husband. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

"One of the most important tasks of our team is to provide support and vaccinations to the locals and the Chinese people. China's government donated 200,000 Sinopharm vaccines to the PNG government. The ten members of our team visited 16 provinces to administer vaccinations to the Chinese and locals," said Chen. "As a cardiologist, I have treated many emergency cases, such as managing acute myocardial infarction and congenital heart disease."

Chen Guozhu(right) arrived at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport on August 10. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Aside from routine clinical work, the team brought advanced domestic clinical diagnosis and treatment technology to PNG, helped fight COVID-19, and provided medical services to overseas Chinese residents and locals. Due to their excellent medical skills and ethics, the team earned high praise from the PNG government and people, contributing to the friendship between China and Papua New Guinea.

"We performed many procedures and operations in PNG, and we saved so many people's lives. Therefore, they respected us. So, when they heard we were leaving, they asked us to stay longer, and they also wanted to visit China," Chen explained.

In 2002, Chongqing sent the first medical team to PNG. According to the Chongqing Health Commission, the city has sent 12 medical teams - 120 medical workers - to PNG from 2002 to March 2021.

"It's been a long-term project with a timeline of nearly 20 years. It's important to keep this effort going", Chen added.

(Tan Sirui and Li Yan, as interns, also contributed to this report.)