Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg thanks the Chinese medical team that served in Malta over the past year and welcomes the new team
For more than three decades, Chinese medical teams have provided traditional Chinese medicine services in Malta, through cooperation that developed following the first bilateral agreements signed more than 50 years ago. Services offered include acupuncture and tuina at the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Paola, as well as at Mater Dei Hospital and Gozo General Hospital. Their work also includes free community consultations, training and health awareness activities.
This contribution was recognised during a meeting held by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg with the 21st Chinese Medical Team, led by Dr Zhang Xiusheng, which is concluding its mission in Malta, and the 22nd team, led by Dr Chen Dong, which will continue this work. The meeting, held at the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine, was also attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Malta, Zhang Zuo.
Since 1993, Chinese medical teams have provided services to more than 270,000 patients in Malta, through 21 medical teams comprising a total of 126 professionals. Dr Borg emphasised that health remains an important pillar of cooperation between the two countries. He thanked the outgoing medical team and all those who had served in previous years, while wishing the new team every success in its work in Malta.
“This cooperation reflects a friendship that, over the years, has translated into service to our communities. We thank the outgoing team for its dedication and commitment to our patients. We also welcome the new team and look forward to continuing to share knowledge and experience, always keeping patients’ wellbeing at the centre of our work. I look forward to further cooperation between our countries,” said Dr Borg.
Dr Zhang Xiusheng, who led the 21st Chinese Medical Team in Malta, also highlighted the development of specialised clinics, including a headache clinic launched in April. He expressed his satisfaction that the team had provided services to more than 6,000 residents over the past year.
This work also built on the cooperation agreement signed last December with the Maltese Government, through the Active Ageing and Community Care Department (AACC), which includes community initiatives such as mobile clinics, wellbeing activities at centres for older persons, professional training and cultural exchanges.
“During our mission in Malta, we received a warm welcome and greatly appreciated the trust our patients placed in us. It was rewarding to serve the community and share our knowledge through the services, training and activities we organised. We thank the Maltese Government for its support and leave your country with fond memories and bonds of friendship that will stay with us,” concluded Dr Zhang Xiusheng.
