DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Pemba branch of the 36th Chinese medical team to Zanzibar, Tanzania, conducted a health education campaign and a free medical outreach on Sunday ahead of World Stroke Day, observed on Oct. 29.
The outreach, as part of China's "100 Medical Teams in 1,000 Villages" program, offered local residents free clinical consultations, health advice, disease education and free essential medicines, bringing quality medical services to grassroots communities on Pemba Island, said Wang Shu, deputy leader of the medical team and leader of the Pemba branch.
Khamis Bilali, a health official with Pemba health authority, noted that grassroots medical resources on Pemba are limited and residents face barriers to accessing health care. The free clinic organized by the Chinese medical team responds directly to local needs.
"It allows residents to receive professional medical services near their homes and eases difficulties in seeking treatment. The health talks also raise public awareness of disease prevention. This is a heartfelt initiative that benefits the people and has won wide appreciation from the community," he said.
At the venue, He Yanhong, an internist, delivered a special lecture on stroke prevention and control. Taking into account Zanzibar's tropical climate and local health profile, she explained stroke warning signs, risk factors and emergency management in simple terms to help the audience develop scientific health habits.
The lecture was followed by a multi-disciplinary free clinic. Specialists in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, ENT, orthopedics, radiology, and anesthesiology provided services targeting common local illnesses, chronic conditions, and maternal and child diseases.
The Chinese doctors took careful medical histories, performed examinations, explained diagnoses, offered personalized treatment plans and instructed patients on proper medication and daily self-care.
Wang said the outreach program is an important platform for China's community-based medical assistance.
"We will keep carrying out regular rural clinics, health education and on-the-job training to strengthen the local primary health system and improve medical capacity on Pemba," he said.
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