19th Chinese Medical Team dispatched to Zimbabwe

In March 2022, the 19th Chinese medical team was dispatched to Harare, Zimbabwe, to begin a one-year medical mission.

During their assignment, the team was based at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (also known as Parirenyatwa General Hospital) in Harare. Led by Dr.

Zhu Wei, who also served as chief of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Clinic, the team provided extensive medical services—reportedly seeing over 11,000 patients, performing more than 550 surgeries, and assisting over 120 critically ill patients.

The team operated out of the Zimbabwe–China Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center, which had been established in 2022 within the hospital complex.

The center is the largest of its kind in Southern Africa and was used to deliver TCM services and conduct training for local health personnel.

On March 8, 2023, a ceremony was held in Harare to mark the farewell of the 19th Chinese medical team and the reception of the incoming 20th team.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Acting Minister Counselor Cheng Yan of the Chinese Embassy, and Counselor Huang Minghai attended the event and delivered speeches.

More than 120 attendees were present, including members of both the 19th and 20th medical teams, Military Attaché Zhu Yonglong, representatives from partner hospitals, Chinese enterprises, the overseas Chinese community, and officials from Zimbabwe’s Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs, Information, and Defense.

Since 1985, China has been dispatching medical teams to Zimbabwe. These missions are coordinated by the Hunan Provincial Health Commission.