Shot in the arm for health sector
As 19th Chinese medical team lands in the capital
LIAPENG RALIENGOANE
MASERU – The Ministry of Health has cheered the arrival of the 19th Chinese Medical Team on Tuesday in the capital – the welcome reception was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Maseru.
This celebration was also meant to bid farewell to the 18th Medical Team which had been deployed at the Motebang Hospital in Leribe and later the recently opened Maseru District Hospital. The new deployees will be attached at the Maseru District Hospital.
Maseru District Hospital and Eye Clinic, is a specialized hospital equipped with advanced medical equipment and resources designed to provide top-notch healthcare services to the Basotho, opened its doors to the public last year. This was made possible with financial assistance from the Chinese government with over M800 million.
According to an agreement between the Chinese government and the Lesotho government, China has been sending medical teams to Lesotho since 1997 – and there have been 19 batches of Chinese Medical Teams thus far.
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Yang Xiaokun, highlighted the arrival of the 19th team as not only the continuation of China’s 28-year long tradition but also an important measure to implement the China-Lesotho strategic partnership and the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
“What I would like to share now is the spirit of Chinese medical teams. That is fearlessness of hardships, willingness to sacrifice, helpfulness to patients, boundlessness of love. The 18th team lived this spirit and I hope the 19th team will perform this spirit as well,” he added.
Ambassador Yang further reiterated that the China-Lesotho cooperation in various has been continuously expanded and deepened.
“In the future, China will continue to truly deliver for Basotho people and jointly formulate predictable development plans,” he said.
The 19th Medical Team officially started working at Motebang Hospital in April 2024, a duration during which they, amongst many things, launched new technologies at the health facility.
Speaking as captain on behalf of the outgoing medical team, Dr Jeff Wang, said: “We successfully treated many critically ill and complex patients. Despite the dark nights and cold winter, we have been fighting on the front line of treating patients.”
In February this year, the medical team officially started working at Maseru District Hospital where they established the 1st Traditional Chinese Medicine section. From April 2024 to February 2025 the medical crew consulted 15 271 outpatients, inclusive of emergency visits and hospital visitations.
For the government of Lesotho, the Minister of Health Selibe Mochoboroane expressed gratitude to the Chinese Government for the long-term support it has been offering to Lesotho.
“As we stand here to celebrate the remarkable tenure of the 18th Chinese Medical Team, we are reminded of the challenges faced, the milestones achieved and the lives saved under their steadfast leadership. The Chinese medical team has not been only the steward of health care but an advocate of equity and innovation of progress,” the minister said.
He highlighted with gratitude the resolute vision of the Chinese teams, which he indicated brought hope to many and continues to serve as a legacy that will continue to inspire many Basotho long after the departure of each team.
To the incoming team Mochoboroane expressed hope that they would only raise the bar set by previous teams – showing commitment to their work.
This year marks 31 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Lesotho.
