Chinese Government sent medical team to Vanuatu's Vila Central Hospital

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vanuatu, to strengthen the friendly and cooperative relations between China and Vanuatu under the new era, deepen the traditional friendship, and strengthen dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation in the medical and health fields of the two countries, the Chinese government sent the first medical team of National Health Commission to Vanuatu, and Beijing Shijitan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University undertook the task.

The medical team consists of nine members, covering general surgery, urology, cardiology, respiratory and critical care medicine, stomatology, anesthesiology, traditional Chinese orthopedic massage, nursing science, and other specialties.

Chinese medical team arrived in Vanuatu in September 2022 and began to work officially in Vila Central Hospital (VCH) in October.

During their year in Vanuatu, the team conducted island tours, free clinics, research, and health education outside the hospital. Additionally, they conducted the first laparoscopic appendectomy and minimally invasive prostatectomy in Vanuatu.

After two Category 4 cyclones struck Vanuatu in early March, 2023, the medical team wrote several popular science articles on their laptops on how to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and manage pest and rodent risks.

On September 6, 2023, a handover ceremony was held for the first and second batches of Chinese medical aid teams to VCH, marking the completion of the first batch’s work in Vanuatu. This team is the first medical aid group sent to Vanuatu with the involvement of the national government of China.