The 4th China Medical Team (CMT) which arrived in the country over the weekend, has paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dr Paul Popora Bosawai, his Permanent Secretary Mrs Pauline McNeil and members of the Health Senior Executive Management Team.

Minister Popora Bosawai, on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government, the Health Ministry and the National Referral Hospital welcomed the team to Solomon Islands, a statement from the MHMS yesterday said.

“This cooperation shows our deep relationship with the People’s Republic of China and Solomon Islands. It continues to grow since we established our relationship.

“Health is a universal right and we welcome you to our shores. To the departing team we want to sincerely thank you for your huge contribution since your arrival and until today,” said Popora Bosawai.

He further thanked the government and people of China for the new Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC) which was launched at the beginning of this year, the statement said.

“We anticipate when the building becomes fully operational we look forward to working closely with your team,” said Popora Bosawai.

The 4th China Medical Team Leader Dr Zhao Xueke thanked the Health Minister for welcoming his team and to working closely with the NRH and MHMS.

“We will continue to provide the services of Nephrology, Urology, Cardiology and Acupuncture. Also, we have a Cardiac Nurse with the team who will provide training and support to the doctors and nurses at NRH. For the first time, we have included a cardiac nurse in the 4th CMT,” said Zhao.

He further highlighted that PRC will provide training to 10 local doctors and nurses over a period of three months in China.

It is a cooperation programme in minimally invasive urology surgery between the NRH and the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, the MHMS statement said.

These doctors and nurses from National Referral Hospital will soon travel to China.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the 4th CMT will speed up the preparation for the opening of the new CMC facility.

The 4th CMT consists of a Chief Physician (IDC), Team Leader, a Nephrologist, a Urological Surgeon, a Cardiologist (interventionist), a Cardiac nurse, an Acupuncturist, and an interpreter.

The 4th CMT will be here for a period of 12 months, the MHMS statement said.