The China International Emergency Medical Team (Sichuan) received a certificate for being the first non-military international emergency medical team to be recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the World Health Assembly (WHA) on May 25.

This is the highest-standard international emergency medical team around the world.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, awarded the certificate and team flag to the Chinese team.

The China International Emergency Medical Team (Sichuan) applied for the qualification in July 2017, and after two rounds of examination, passed WHO’s official assessment in May 2018.

With 41 doctors, 65 nurses, and 60 support crew, the team has outstanding working ability and rich experiences in emergency medical rescues. The well-equipped team can assemble in 12 hours, and provide independent medical services for 28 days in a row.

“We can receive 200 clinical patients, and conduct 15 big surgeries and 30 small surgeries in one day,” said the team leader Shen Bin.

Two international emergency medical teams from China's Shanghai and Guangdong were recognized by WHO in 2016 and 2017. The Sichuan team is the third international emergency medical team from China and the 15th globally authorized by WHO.