Chinese medical expertise and technology restore r...

Chinese medical expertise and technology restore road crash survivor’s hope

**The repaired fractures after the four hour specialised surgery**

**Before: Givemore Nyamukura, 35, had multiple fractures and he feared lifelong disability which would mean he coudl not fend for his parents and children**

At 9 a.m., Dr. Zhu Jun, clad in a cumbersome lead apron, initiated surgery on Givemore Nyamukura who had been injured in a road crash

The 35-year-old father and breadwinner had a floating knee injury (that is fractures of the femur and tibia on the same side).

Due to various reasons, Nyamukura did not undergo timely surgery and instead underwent prolonged traction therapy.

This meant that Dr Zhu Jun was attending an old fracture.

For fractures of the femur and tibia shaft, intramedullary nailing is considered the gold standard treatment as it is minimally invasive.

However Parirenyatwa Hospital uses internal fixation with a steel plate and does not have the intramedullary nailing equipment, but through concerted efforts.

But through cooperation with Chinese medical experts like Dr Zhu, Parirenyatwa successfully procured intramedullary nails from China. The hospital invited Dr. Zhu Jun for surgical guidance.

Dr Zhu Jun is a member of the 20th China medical team in Zimbabwe. He is an orthopedic attending physician at Ningxiang People's Hospital. He specializes in managing various common

Before: Givemore Nyamukura's bones showing the multiple fractures

orthopedic traumatic emergencies, limb fractures, and artificial joint replacement; as well as the diagnosis and treatment of joint surgical diseases.

While attending to Nyamukura, Dr Zhu- and the team of local doctors he was working with, faced different challenges including the inability to conduct fluoroscopy in the operating room.

While removing the bony callus of the old fracture, Dr. Zhu Jun's gloves were punctured by fragmented bone, necessitating replacement three times.

The surgery was finally completed at 13:00hrs, four hours later. Tired but exhilarated, the team was happy.

The local doctors expressed gratitude for Dr. Zhu Jun's participation and technical guidance and hope that he will have a prolonged stay in Zimbabwe.

The 20th China medical team in Zimbabwer has been sharing Chinese medical techniques and surgical approaches to provide higher-quality healthcare services for local patients for over 10 months now.

They are due to leave the country in a few months as the 21st team comes in. But a great relationship has developed between the Parirenyatwa team and Dr Zhu Jun and some staff members have said that they hope the orthopedic will stay longer.

The orthopedic department has one of the highest workloads in the hospital.

On waking up after his op, Nyamukura shed tears and said he felt incredibly fortunate.

He had feared missing the window for surgery, which could have resulted in a lifelong disability. With a wife, parents, and young children to support, Nyamukura said Dr Zhu Jun with his expertise and medical equipment imported from China, brought hope back into his life.

He said he sincerely looks forward to seeing these admirable and respected Chinese doctors still around next year.

Dr. Zhu Jun said that as China continues to thrive, its manufacturing prowess is becoming increasingly refined.

More and more Chinese products and technologies are gaining recognition globally.

“The ability to use instruments produced in one's homeland to perform surgeries for local patients in a foreign land is a source of pride,” said Dr Zhu Jun.

He said he looks forward to deepening exchanges with local doctors in Zimbabwe in his future work.

“It is my greatest wish to continue sharing more advanced medical technologies, providing higher-quality healthcare services for local patients, and contributing to the consolidation of friendship between China and Zimbabwe,” said Dr Zhu Jun.