Medical teams improve lives

In addition to Eritrea, medical teams sent by China are in operation in 56 countries, including 45 in Africa. Since 1963, when China sent its first medical team to Algeria, the country has sent about 30,000 medical workers to 76 countries and regions, providing 290 million medical diagnoses and treatment services, according to China's National Health Commission.

Dennis Munene, executive director of the China-Africa Center at the Africa Policy Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, said China's medical assistance over the past six decades has played a significant role in improving people's health and the public health capacity of many African countries, resulting in a large decline in mortality rates.