22nd China Medical Team in Hwange outreach

Dr. Li Jie - ZimNow Correspondent

On July 7, 2025, over 300 workers and residents near Hwange Power Station and surrounding mining areas received essential healthcare during a free clinic. The service addressed significant healthcare access challenges in this remote border region.

The visiting 22nd Chinese Medical Team from Hunan Province undertook the lengthy journey from Harare to offer free services. They provided specialized care often unavailable locally.

The initiative began with the donation of essential medicines mobilized by the team to the power station.

The clinic saw high demand:

Primary Care: Long queues formed for treatment of prevalent conditions like respiratory infections. Medical consultations and prescriptions were provided.

Surgical Procedures: Over ten minor emergency procedures were performed in a temporary sterilized area, including wound repair and removal of superficial masses like lipomas and cysts. Fracture management was also addressed.

Diagnostics: Portable ultrasound and ECG machines were used for assessments.

Chronic Pain Management: Traditional therapies including acupuncture, cupping, and therapeutic massage provided relief for over thirty individuals with persistent pain.

Extended Service: Medical personnel worked continuously from early morning until after nightfall under basic lighting to serve all patients, with minimal breaks.

"The sheer number of people waiting early in the morning clearly showed how needed this service was," commented one local worker after receiving treatment.

The Chinese medical team provided the personnel and logistical support necessary to deliver this large-scale clinic. The donated medicines remain at the power station, ensuring continued benefit for workers following the team's departure.

The clinic provided crucial, timely healthcare access to an underserved population vital to Zimbabwe's energy infrastructure.

Dr. Li Jie, who is with the 22nd China Medical Team, is the Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital.