Tanzania's Zanzibar Ministry of Health on Monday honored the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar and the third batch of experts under the second phase of a China-aided schistosomiasis prevention and control project for their contributions to the island's healthcare sector.

Zanzibar's Acting Minister for Health Saada Mkuya Salum commended the Chinese medical and health experts for providing high-quality medical resources and professional expertise while implementing medical assistance and schistosomiasis prevention and control programs based on local needs.

She said the cooperation had brought tangible benefits to local communities and demonstrated the longstanding friendship and practical cooperation between Tanzania and China.

Bao Zengtao, leader of the Chinese medical team, said Chinese medical teams will continue to deepen medical exchanges, technical training and public health cooperation with Zanzibar in the future.

Wang Wei, head of the schistosomiasis prevention and control expert team, expressed hope that the two sides would further strengthen cooperation to consolidate and expand achievements in schistosomiasis prevention in Zanzibar.

The 35th Chinese medical team arrived in Zanzibar in September last year and has treated nearly 60,000 outpatients during its term. The second phase of the China-aided schistosomiasis prevention and control project was launched in September 2023 and completed its on-site acceptance in August 2026.

(Cover: Women rest with their children outside their homes in a village of more than 1,500 people that has long struggled with malaria, Rufiji District, Tanzania, July 26, 2018. /CFP)