They are white-clothed angels who save lives and help the wounded, and they are also friendly messengers who transmit friendship.
They traveled thousands of miles, across mountains and seas, to interpret the benevolence of doctors and practice the responsibility of a great country.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of New China's foreign aid medical work. Global Information Radio specially curated "Foreign Aid Diary" to tell the moving story of China's foreign aid medical team.
Monday, September 18, 2023 The weather is sunny
I am Zhou Zhiyong, a member of the 18th batch of Chinese medical teams to aid Chad, from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Today is my 264th day of foreign aid in Chad.
Zhou Zhiyong (left)
Today's first surgery was to perform a major gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy for a patient with pyloric scar stenosis. The operation was performed under general anesthesia, and I explained the indications and resection range selection to the local medical staff while operating, including how to remove less bleeding during the operation, how to establish an interintestinal lateral anastomosis to reduce the stimulation of the residual stomach by bile reflux after surgery, etc. The power was cut off three times in the middle of the operation, and for a long time, only forehead lamps and mobile phone lamps could be used for lighting. Colleagues gathered around the operating table but were silent and fascinated. The operation went smoothly overall, taking less than 2 hours.
Just after the abdominal surgery, a young man with a gunshot wound was brought in to the emergency room. In Chad, patients with gunshot wounds are brought in from time to time. After a brief evaluation of his condition and imaging results, I found that the bullet had entered under his xiphoid process, deep into his right lower abdomen. The young man was pale and in pain, and if he waited any longer, the situation was not good. General surgeon Ali was my assistant, and after more than 3 hours of cooperation, the bullet was successfully removed, the injured organs were also sutured one by one, and the patient's vital signs were stable. There is no monitor in the ward, and changes in the condition before and after surgery can only be observed manually. Seeing me walk to the bed, the young man took the initiative to kiss the back of my hand, and the family members also showed a knowing smile, which was very comforting.
Zhou Zhiyong looks at the recovery of patients with gunshot wounds
After a few surgeries, my lumbar spondylosis recurred, sitting on the chair in the operating room to rest, looking at the medical staff who were busy "sweeping" the operation, they sometimes smiled at me, sometimes approached to greet. Ali also eagerly handed me a bottle of drinking water, sat down next to me, and told me that such an operation could not be done if he was allowed to do it alone. Before I came, such patients were usually transferred, to larger central hospitals, or to hospitals in France, and treatment was usually stopped if they had financial difficulties.
Ali studied at Kunming Medical College for 5 years, and Chinese said it very well, and after returning from his studies, he took root in China-Chad Friendship Hospital. He said that China had trained him and that he was willing to serve his hometown in this hospital that symbolizes friendship between Chad and China. The encounter with my colleagues from Chad was beautiful, more than 200 days and nights together, we cooperated with each other, and the unforgettable cooperation scenes and precious transnational friendships are enough to become memories that I will remember for a lifetime.
Zhou Zhiyong analyzed the condition with Dr. Ali
Over the past nine months, the Chinese medical team has treated more than 1,200 local patients free of charge. Although every day is busy, it is also fulfilling. With limited time to help them, looking at the long queues of patients waiting for treatment, I always want to solve as many medical problems as possible for them and do something tangible for them. My work may be insignificant compared to the large number of patients, but with one more effort, the patient may reduce some of the pain.
Temperatures in Chad are still high these days. One day after dinner, the teammates walked around the accommodation building. Several pigeons flew overhead and stayed on the rooftop. Following the direction of the pigeon's flight, I was surprised to find a few beautiful white clouds floating in the blue sky, some like lambs, some like dromedaries, and even more like roosters, which is what the motherland looks like and the most beautiful cloud I have seen in Chad so far.
Author|Zhou Zhiyong, member of the 18th batch of Chinese medical team to aid Chad
Editor|Li Lin
Contact|Enron Ma Peimin
Signing and Review|Wei Yu Cai Yaoyuan