China agrees to launch 'Bright Action' (光明行) project in Central African Republic to provide free medical services to cataract patients (Linked to Record ID#86383)

In December of 2018, the Chinese embassy announced that the Chinese government pledged in a September 2018 meeting between President Tudavela and Xi Jinping to launch the Guangmingxing, or "Bright Action" project in 2019 to provide free medical services to cataract patients. On September 16th, 2019, the China-Africa "Bright Action" advance investigation team arrived in Bangui.

Investigator Niu Fangzheng of the Cooperation and Exchange Office of Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission, in collaboration with Ni Songtao, member of the Party Committee of the Eye Optometry Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, and accompanying doctors Chang Pingjun and nurse Shi Xinwei from the Hangzhou Branch of the Eye Optometry Hospital were a part of this advance team.

After their plans for implementation was approved by the Chinese Embassy, an expert team of 9 people from the Eye Optometry Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University appointed by the National Health Commission and Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission, went to the Central African Republic to perform the "Bright Action" cataract eye surgery for China and Africa Free clinic activities from November 18th to December 6th.

On November 25, the Chinese Embassy in Central Africa invited the "Bright Action" team and the 17th batch of doctors from the China-Africa Medical Team to the Embassy to conduct compulsory health examinations and hold health knowledge lectures for employees of Chinese-funded enterprises and overseas Chinese in China and Africa .

About 70 people including Chen Dong, the ambassador to China and Africa, embassy staff , Chinese employees of Chinese- funded enterprises , and overseas Chinese participated in the event.

On November 27, 2019, the “Bright Action” team, in conjunction with the Friendship Hospital in Bangui, carried out free clinic activities at the Friendship hospital (Record ID#86383).

Niu Fangzheng, head of the China-Africa "Bright Action" expert group, said that with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health of China and Africa and the Friendship Hospital, the expert group carried out more than 200 free rejuvenation operations.

On the same day, a donation ceremony was held at the hospital to mark the completion of the donation of a batch of ophthalmic equipment, medicines and supporting supplies.

Central African President Touadéra, Ambassador to the Central African Republic, Chen Dong, Director of the General Office of the Ministry of Health of China and Africa, Warikma, and the Director of the Bangui Friendship Hospital, Kate, were all present at the ceremony.

The Bright Action project concluded on December 5th, the same day the free clinic activities ended with 221 successful eye surgery operations conducted.