China signs medical aid agreements with Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2014-05-07

During his visit to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, China’s President Xi Jinping announced his decision on June 2, 2013 to send 100 medical specialists in the coming three years to work in the Caribbean countries.

 A protocol between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and China concerning the sending of a Chinese medical team to work in Trinidad and Tobago was signed by Health Minister Li Bin and Winston Dookeran, the minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in Beijing; and witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar on February 25, 2014, ushering in a new chapter signaling cooperation in health between China and the Caribbean. According to the protocol, China will send a medical team to work in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for two years. The team reshuffles in every six months. The Chinese medical specialists will carry out medical work in close cooperation with their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts and exchange experiences through medical practice aimed at improving the delivery of health services to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

China has been sending out medical teams to 66 countries and regions in the world since 1963. As many as 260 million people in Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania have been treated by visiting Chinese medical specialists. Until this day, 1001 Chinese medical team members have been awarded national reward or prize by a head of state. At present, China has 49 medical teams that provide healthcare services in other countries, among which42 teams are based in Africa. There are 1,171 medical teams distributed on 113 bases. Now across China, 27 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) shoulder the responsibility to send at least one medical team to undertake the task.