BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Choiseul Province is one of the provinces that faces challenges with transportation, underdeveloped healthcare, and shortages in medicine and medical services due to its remoteness.
This year, 2024, the Choiseul Provincial Government invited and warmly welcomed the 3rd China Medical Team (CMT) to conduct free clinics in the province from December 3 to 10.
The visit was the first large-scale visit by a specialized medical team to the province and marked the eighth medical outreach visit to provinces in the Solomon Islands by the CMT since 2022.
The eight-member team included Team Leader Dr. Mu Mao, Urologist Dr. Zhong Quliang, Cardiologist Dr. Wei Bo, Nephrologist Dr. Tang Yinqian, Acupuncturists Dr. Xu Ming and Dr. Li Danmao, Interpreter Mr. Huang Bailin, and Chef Mr. Zhang Yuangang.
Mr. Harrison Pitakaka, Premier of Choiseul Province, highlighted the visit as a testament to the strong bilateral relations between China and the Solomon Islands and China’s commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity. He expressed gratitude for the specialized medical services brought by the CMT and his belief in the success of the medical trip.
In response, CMT team leader Dr. Mu Mao expressed his honor at visiting the province and conveyed the team’s passion for providing high-quality medical services in acupuncture, cardiology, urology, and nephrology. He emphasized the event’s potential to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the traditional friendship between the two nations.
The team conducted medical consultations at Taro and Sasamunga Hospitals from December 4 to 9, offering services in acupuncture, cardiology, urology, and nephrology. The activities included specialized medical consultations, clinical experience sharing, rural clinic visits, and donations of medicines and supplies.
A total of 461 medical treatments and consultations were provided to residents, with local doctors and nurses actively collaborating and contributing to the success of the free clinic services.
During the visit, 243 patients were treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) using acupuncture. Mr. Watson, a patient, shared his story of enduring hand and foot pain for four months, which left him unable to sleep or function normally. After receiving acupuncture, he reported immediate relief, expressing gratitude to the medical team for easing his suffering.
Dr. Gift, a general practitioner at Taro Hospital, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn about cardiovascular clinical experience and skills from Dr. Wei and hoped to gain further expertise in the field upon returning to the National Referral Hospital.
The team donated essential medicines to Taro Hospital and presented T-shirts on behalf of Guizhou Province, China, extending the goodwill of the people of Guizhou Province. They also assessed the primary healthcare conditions at local rural clinics, donating items such as blood pressure monitors and herbal patches during the visit.
William Timba, a health official in Choiseul, thanked the team for the donations, emphasizing their importance in improving hospital and community healthcare services.
The Choiseul Provincial Government farewelled the team on December 9, where Premier Pitakaka thanked the medical team for their dedicated work and high-quality free services. He expressed hope for future visits by the CMT to enhance healthcare services and foster people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
The CMT plans to continue its outreach efforts in other outer-island provinces and grassroots communities, leveraging their expertise to benefit local health and further strengthen the China-Solomon Islands friendship.
