The Chinese Medical Expert Team, comprises of 12 medical experts from West China Hospital Sichuan University, CDC of Sichuan, People’s Hospital of Sichuan Province, has been working with full schedule in Ethiopia for the past fortnight since April 16, 2020.
The experts specialize in various areas, including general surgery, epidemiology, respiratory, infectious diseases, critical care, clinical laboratory, etc.. The team also brought urgently needed medical supplies including protective equipment to Ethiopia.
The team is certified by WHO as type 3 International Emergency Medical Team.
The only type 3 EMT in Asia. The only non-military type 3 EMT around the world.
All of its members participated in the fight against the pandemic, with rich front-line and hands-on battle experience.
During their stay in Ethiopia, the team had in-depth exchanges with the Ministry of Health and Ethiopia Public Health Institute, drew up suggestions on further improving the macro anti-pandemic strategy. The team conducted a video conference and shared China’s anti-pandemic practices and experience with more than 170 medical institutions in Ethiopia, including Ministry of Health, Ethiopia Public Health Institute, local medical institutions, National Advisory Committee members, Private Health Federation and the hospitals in Addis Ababa, covering more than 350 people.
The team also had field trips to Eka Kotebe Hospital, the largest diagnosis and treatment center for COVID-19 patients, where the team conducted case discussions with local medical staff. They also visited the Addis Ababa Silk Road Hospital, Tirunesh-Beijing Hospital, a local quarantine center and Addis Ababa’s Millennium Hall, which the Ethiopian government has turned into a makeshift hospital in the event of possible large scale outbreak in the country.
They also exchanged views with African Disease Control Center and WHO office in Ethiopia, had a teleconference with WHO country offices in several African countries.
Based on the seamless cooperation and solid trust built between the team and the Ethiopian side, the team will continue to provide suggestions at request even after they leave Ethiopia upon completing their mission with success.
The Ethiopian Herald May 3/2020
