by Xinhua writer Guo Xinhui

SUVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- "I write to thank the People's Republic of China for providing a medical team to Samoa's national Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital ... I believe the specialized knowledge of Dr. Liang Huaxin for the surgery saved Meleisea's life, and his family and I are very grateful to him and to the other doctors from China ..."

These words come from a special letter the Chinese Embassy in Samoa received from Meleisea Malama's wife, which expressed heartfelt gratitude to the eighth batch of the Chinese medical team in Samoa.

One day in June of last year, Meleisea experienced a sudden and severe headache and was rushed to the TTM Hospital, where he was diagnosed with bilateral subacute subdural hematoma, a life-threatening condition.

In this critical moment, the hospital recommended consulting the Chinese medical team for diagnosis and treatment.

Leading the operation was Dr. Liang Huaxin, with the rest of the team assisting. Despite challenges brought by outdated surgical instruments and a shortage of medical supplies, they completed the surgery and saved the patient's life.

This was not the first time that Dr. Liang and the Chinese medical team received a letter of thanks from a patient.

During the 2024 New Year, he received a message from one of his patients, expressing gratitude and kind wishes. "You make me reach 2024 in good health and happiness. My words are not enough of what your surgical team had done for me ... Thanks for making me walk again," the message read.

Located in the remote South Pacific, Samoa's healthcare system is relatively underdeveloped, with a shortage of specialized personnel, inadequate diagnostic facilities, and rudimentary surgical instruments, which severely restricts clinical operations.

Li Qingchun, team leader of the eighth batch of the Chinese medical team in Samoa, told Xinhua that under such challenging conditions, making the most of limited resources to save lives and alleviate patients' suffering is a reality that every member of the Chinese medical team in Samoa must confront.

Rising to the challenges, the team, comprising members from the China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, achieved a series of "firsts" in this South Pacific island nation: the first minimally invasive surgery for acute epidural hematoma, the first craniotomy using a powered system, the first laparoscopic surgery in urology, and the first intramedullary nail for tibia fractures, among others.

During their one-year term, the eight-member team diagnosed and treated nearly 13,700 outpatient and emergency patients, admitted 2,768 patients, performed 2,679 surgeries, and rescued 184 critically ill patients, said Li.

As an otolaryngologist, Dr. Cui Na sees over 50 patients a day.

"In Samoa, one in every 20 people may have visited my clinic. They may not know my name, but they will certainly remember the five-star red flag on my white coat, and they will remember that the doctor who treated them comes from China," Cui said.

Apart from providing treatment for the patients, the Chinese medical team also shared their expertise and technologies with local doctors through various methods, including clinical teaching, joint surgeries, and hosting specialized lectures and training sessions, which has significantly enhanced the healthcare expertise in the island nation.

Since 2018, when the first batch of medical team were sent to Samoa from northeast China's Jilin Province, the Chinese medical teams from Jilin have earned respect and admiration through their professionalism and compassion, while also cultivating genuine friendships with the local people.

The ninth batch of medical personnel from the People's Hospital of Jilin Province arrived in Samoa in May, continuing to uphold their commitment to saving lives, treating illnesses, and forging new friendships throughout the island nation. Enditem

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