Dr. Liu Ruiqiang is leading the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in Ethiopia. He works at Tirunesh Beijing Hospital on the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa.

When he was young, he wanted to become a doctor to help sick children. Now, as a certified urologist, he volunteers to share his knowledge and skills with doctors in Ethiopia.

But the journey to get there has not been easy. His father was found out of advanced lung cancer before he set off for Ethiopia.

"I was hoping that my father would recover before I came here," said Liu. "But on January 11, 2021, when I got off work, I received a message from my family that my father had left us. At that time, because there was still a team here, I couldn't go back to China to see the last moments of my father."

Coping with grief and loss, the dedicated doctor found the courage to continue his mission in Ethiopia.

China sent its first medical mission to Ethiopia in 1974 and has been providing medical assistance to the East African country ever since.

As part of their continued support, the 22nd batch of Chinese medical doctors is donating much-needed supplies to the hospital.

The team has also prepared a few boxes of protective equipment to aid nurses and doctors as they treat patients with coronavirus.

Medicine and equipment have been advanced, but Ethiopia is still developing its healthcare sector. The Chinese doctors there have to come up with creative ways to treat patients.

"For example, in neurosurgery, Dr. Yao Qingdong used a steel needle from orthopedics and shortened it by welding. After that, we made some simple medical instruments for surgery, which allowed us to turn open surgery into minimally invasive surgery," said Liu.

People from across the city come to this hospital for acute and chronic illnesses.

For a patient who is to have his prostate tissue removed in order to restore the normal flow of urine, Liu carried out a minimally invasive surgery, which is the first of its kind in Ethiopia.

The surgery is performed using a robotic arm, which provides more mobility and precision. This approach means less blood loss, a shorter stay at the hospital, and a faster recovery time for the patient.

Liu and his team have planted a tree in the backyard. He said this will be deemed as a tree of friendship, and their teaching will leave a lasting mark at the hospital long after their mission is over.