Chinese medical mission in Senegal provides training in traditional Chinese medicine

China

Chinese medical mission in Senegal provides training in traditional Chinese medicine

2025-05-18 17:39 Last Updated At：20:07

The 20th Chinese Medical Mission to Senegal conducted an academic exchange on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and a training course for Senegalese participants at Fann Hospital in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, on Friday.

The Chinese Medical Mission partnered with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Dakar and Fann Hospital to address the local shortage of medical resources. It is part of the Chinese efforts to implement the spirit of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation regarding foreign medical aid.

"Today, we are launching this TCM training program to share Chinese medical culture and practical TCM techniques with our Senegalese counterparts. The goal is to help more Senegalese people understand and use traditional Chinese medicine," said Yang Yiguo, head of the 20th Chinese Medical Mission to Senegal.

According to the project, the medical mission will offer three three-hour academic sessions on May 16, 23, and 30. This training is intended for approximately 30 rehabilitation students from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Dakar, rehabilitation physicians, and technicians.

The courses combine theory and practice, covering TCM culture, basic theories, acupuncture point therapy, moxibustion, cupping therapy, and Baduanjin (a traditional Chinese aerobic exercise). This training has received a positive response from local doctors and patients.

"I think this partnership helps diversify the care offered to our patients, and therefore the treatment options," said Ngor Side Diagne, head of the Rehabilitation and Intensive Care Department under Fann Hospital.

"I came for a consultation about headaches. Usually, I treat myself with conventional medicine. But today, I tried traditional Chinese medicine and I find it very relaxing and soothing," said Awa Diop, a Senegalese patient.

It was in 1975 that Fujian Province in southwest China sent its first medical mission to Senegal. Chinese medical missions have been operating in Senegal for half a century. They have thus become an essential symbol of Chinese-Senegalese friendship.

To date, China has mobilized 20 medical missions and more than 300 healthcare professionals to Senegal, providing healthcare services to more than 3.5 million patients.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.