This photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows a donation ceremony of medical supplies provided by the 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda at Masaka Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo: Xinhua/Liu Youmin)

KIGALI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The 26th Chinese medical team in Rwanda on Friday donated a consignment of medical supplies to Masaka Hospital in the capital Kigali, a move aimed at strengthening healthcare services and deepening medical cooperation between China and Rwanda.

The supplies included surgical lights, operating apparatus, a wheelchair, a consolidated operating table, and a weighing scale, all of which are expected to help save lives, improve treatment conditions and improve patient care.

At the donation ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the donation continues China's longstanding tradition of standing alongside Rwanda and will make a contribution to the health and well-being of local people.

According to Gao, in the past two months alone, the 26th medical team has conducted over 200 operations, treated more than 5,000 patients, organized 11 medical outreach and health education programs, and held five academic and cultural exchange activities.

"We will continue to support the Chinese medical team in promoting Rwanda's healthcare development and elevating bilateral cooperation to a higher level with enhanced quality," Gao said.

Receiving the donation at Masaka Hospital, Director General Jean Damascene Hanyurwimfura said the support from the Chinese government has been transformative since the inception of the facility.

Hanyurwimfura noted that the cooperation has enabled the hospital to expand its services in maternity, surgery, and emergency care, reaching thousands of residents who rely on the facility.

"The equipment and technical support provided by your government allow us to practice medicine at a standard that reflects our shared commitment to excellence," he said.

Speaking at the event, Zhang Shengmao, leader of the Chinese medical team, said the team remains committed to serving the people of Rwanda.

"We hope the medical equipment can help the hospital work better. We hope it can help more patients. We hope more people can keep healthy," he added.

Oreste Tuganeyezu, head of the department of clinical services at Rwanda's Ministry of Health, praised the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

"Rwanda and China have walked side by side for decades, bound by a relationship that goes far beyond diplomacy," he said.

Tuganeyezu said the Chinese doctors, nurses, and specialists have not only treated patients, but also mentored Rwandan health professionals, transferring knowledge that will endure long after individual missions end.

Since 1982, China has dispatched 26 medical teams comprising a total of 343 members to Rwanda.