Chinese doctors have helped improve healthcare services at a major Zambian hospital by introducing advanced digestive endoscopy technology and training local medical personnel, enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
At the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, the 26th Chinese medical team in Zambia has supported the establishment and development of gastrointestinal services, enabling local doctors to diagnose and manage complex digestive disorders more effectively.
Bright Nsokolo, a consultant gastroenterologist at the hospital, said that the technology transferred by the Chinese medical team has significantly strengthened the hospital’s diagnostic capacity while equipping local doctors with new clinical skills.
“This technology has existed for some time, but it has not been widely available in developing countries. In Zambia, however, we are making significant progress because of the support from our cooperating partners,” he said.
According to Nsokolo, the endoscopy equipment, which uses a flexible camera-equipped tube to examine internal organs, has made it possible to accurately diagnose conditions such as stomach ulcers, gastric cancer and colon cancer, which were previously difficult to detect.
He said the Chinese doctors not only introduced the technology but also helped establish the hospital’s gastrointestinal services department and trained local medical practitioners, contributing to improved efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery.
The technology has also made specialized gastrointestinal services more accessible to patients, with the hospital currently attending to between 10 and 15 patients daily through the subsidized service.
Zhang Yingjian, leader of the Chinese medical team, said the team has worked closely with local doctors to strengthen medical capacity through technology transfer and professional training.
According to Zhang, about 300 local doctors have received training in endoscopic procedures so far, helping build a sustainable pool of skilled healthcare professionals in Zambia.
The health cooperation between China and Zambia has played an important role in enhancing the capacity of local medical personnel and improving healthcare services for the Zambian people, Zhang added.
Chinese doctors help Zambian hospital through technology transfer
