Chinese medical team boosts Zanzibar's surgical capacity through laparoscopic training

An expert from the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar guides a local doctor during a laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery training course in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on June 15, 2026. The 35th Chinese medical team in Tanzania's Zanzibar on Friday completed a nine-month laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery training course aimed at strengthening local capacity to provide advanced surgical services, with 13 local doctors successfully trained. (Photo: The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 35th Chinese medical team in Tanzania's Zanzibar on Friday completed a nine-month laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery training course aimed at strengthening local capacity to provide advanced surgical services, with 13 local doctors successfully trained.

The training, held at the Laparoscopic Training Center of Lumumba Regional Hospital, was launched in December 2025 to address challenges in promoting and applying minimally invasive techniques in Zanzibar.

During the training, Chinese medical experts combined theoretical lessons, simulated exercises, surgical guidance, and case reviews with hands-on training during actual operations.

They also crafted simple laparoscopic training simulators from locally available materials to enable trainees to practice despite limited equipment.

Local general surgeon Haitham Hamudu thanked the Chinese doctors for sharing their knowledge, saying the training had enabled local doctors to independently perform laparoscopic appendectomy and cholecystectomy.

"This reduces patients' suffering and shortens recovery time, allowing people to access advanced medical services close to home," he said.

Bao Zengtao, leader of the Chinese medical team, said the program sought to build a sustainable local team capable of providing laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment, helping address gaps in minimally invasive surgical capacity in Zanzibar.