Zhang Junqiao (1st L), leader of the 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania, instructs local Tanzanian nurses to learn first aid knowledge in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, May 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)
by Xinhua writers Hua Hongli, Lucas Liganga
DAR ES SALAAM, May 11 (Xinhua) -- The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the training room at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania's port city of Dar es Salaam. Elick William Mwakatungila, a nurse, pressed his gloved hands firmly on the chest of a lifelike mannequin. His breathing was steady, his eyes locked in concentration.
Beside him stood Zhang Junqiao, leader of the 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania, observing closely.
"Maintain your rhythm. Pressure, release, don't rush," Zhang said calmly, his tone firm yet reassuring. Occasionally, he adjusted Elick's arms, guiding him back into the correct position. Nearby, two other nurses watched intently, their masked faces reflecting focus and admiration.
Elick had been practicing as a registered nurse anesthetist for only a year and a half, but under Zhang's mentorship, his confidence and competence had flourished.
"I have learned skills I never imagined, like using a video laryngoscope. Before, I did not even know how to position it correctly. Now, I can confidently manage difficult airways," Elick said, his voice tinged with pride.
Zhang's teaching style was methodical yet deeply patient. He would begin each lesson with a demonstration, his fingers as precise as a seasoned surgeon's. Then he would guide Elick's hands, correcting grips, offering quiet encouragement. During one session, Zhang introduced Elick to central line placement, a complex procedure that involves inserting a thin catheter into a major vein.
"This is about feel, not just sight," Zhang whispered, his fingers tracing the vein's path. Elick's first attempts were hesitant, but Zhang's steady presence gave him the courage to try again. Moments later, the needle found its mark.
Still, no simulation could match the intensity of a real case. Two weeks earlier, a critically ill patient was rushed into the operating room. The surgery lasted nearly 13 hours, testing every team member's endurance.
As the surgical lights blazed overhead, Elick's responsibility was to maintain anesthesia, keeping the patient safely balanced between awareness and unconsciousness. Zhang never left his side. His calm voice provided instructions and his steady hands were ready to assist.
"I have never seen a doctor so dedicated. He taught us more than skills. He taught us patience, resilience, and compassion," Elick said quietly.
Yet the journey was not without challenges. The language barrier was constant. Sometimes Zhang's explanations met with confused stares. But when words failed, actions spoke. Zhang became a master of nonverbal teaching, using gestures, sketches, and clear demonstrations.
"We do not always understand his words, but we always understand his actions," Elick said with a laugh.
The true depth of Zhang's impact became clear when Elick was selected -- thanks to the support of the Chinese medical team -- for a 20-day advanced anesthesia training program in China. For Elick, it was a dream come true.
"I want to learn more about sophisticated equipment and patient management at every stage of care. When I return, I will share what I have learned with my colleagues," he said, his voice filled with excitement and gratitude.
Zhang's mentorship extended beyond individuals. At the hospital, he quickly recognized a pressing issue: a severe shortage of anesthesia professionals. Fewer than 20 anesthesiologists and just over 40 nurse anesthetists serve the entire hospital. The burden was immense.
"We need more doctors and nurses for anesthesia. In my theater, we have seven or eight operating rooms, but only three or four anesthesiologists. That is not enough," Zhang explained.
His solution was practical yet transformative: train nurses not only in foundational techniques, but in advanced anesthesia procedures -- empowering them to manage complex cases independently.
Zhang's expertise became a source of fascination. A master of airway management, he demonstrated techniques like video laryngoscopy and fiber optic intubation, explaining each step precisely. Yet beyond technical skills, it was his calm demeanor, quiet encouragement, and unwavering presence that left a lasting impression.
In the softly lit recovery room, where monitors beeped and patients stirred beneath warm blankets, Elick stood by the bedside of a recovering patient. With each choice he made, each step he took, Zhang's steady voice echoed in his mind -- an enduring guide in the rhythm of care.
Zhang Junqiao (1st L), leader of the 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania, instructs local Tanzanian nurses to learn first aid knowledge in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, May 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)
Elick William Mwakatungila, a Tanzanian nurse, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, May 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman)
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