Dr. Li Jie—Correspondent
A community health outreach held in Epoworth, Harare recently offered a glimpse into the everyday side of Zimbabwe–China relations, one built around direct engagement between professionals, families, and community groups rather than formal diplomacy.
The free health camp, hosted at Epworth School on December 14, was organized by the 22nd Chinese Medical Team to Zimbabwe in partnership with the Zimbabwe Hunan Chamber of Commerce, following a request from the Zimbabwe Disabled Children's Mothers Alliance.
Dr. Zheng Xingyou, head of the 22nd Chinese Medical Team, said the engagement reflected a shared responsibility to work alongside communities.
"This is a group that needs professional support and sustained care," said Dr. Zheng Xingyou. "We are glad to use our expertise to offer practical help to these children and their families."
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More than 100 children with disabilities and their caregivers attended the outreach, where Chinese doctors provided general health assessments, offered guidance on managing ongoing medical conditions, and referred complex cases for follow-up treatment within the local health system.
Beyond consultations, parents and caregivers participated in a hands-on training session on basic emergency response, including the Heimlich maneuver, equipping families with practical skills that can be applied in everyday home and school settings.
Medicines addressing common infections, pain management, vitamin deficiencies, and chronic conditions were also distributed, accompanied by clear instructions from medical staff.
The Hunan Chamber of Commerce supplemented the initiative with donations of food items, clothing, and school supplies for participating families.
Representatives from the Zimbabwe Disabled Children’s Mothers Alliance said the outreach created space for meaningful interaction, not only between doctors and patients, but also between Zimbabwean families and Chinese professionals living and working in the country. “ "This support goes beyond medical aid. It gives us strength and hope to keep going," one representative said.
Chinese medical teams have been stationed in Zimbabwe since 1985, providing clinical services, technical support, and training for local health workers. In recent years, their work has increasingly extended beyond hospitals into community-level engagements such as health education and outreach programs.
The 22nd Chinese Medical Team said it intends to continue working with Chinese institutions and Zimbabwean community organizations to support similar initiatives, describing them as an important part of people-to-people ties that underpin broader bilateral relations.
Dr. Li Jie from The 22nd China Medical Team is Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital
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