On Feb. 11, 2023, the launching ceremony of China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center Assistance & Cooperation Program was held at Hulhumale Hospital. Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin, Vice President Faisal Naseem, Minister of President's Office Mr. Shiyam, State Minister for Health Dr. Shah Mahir, Pro. Chen Weirong from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University and HMH CEO Ms. Mariya Saeed attended the ceremony.
Head of the Chinese medical team, Pro. Chen introduced her team of seven doctors and nurses, and said that since their arrival, the team had done a lot in equipment testing, operation theater preparation, patient diagnosis and treatment, surgeries, and local staff training. Three of them will stay here for 6 months, helping in diagnosis and treatment and staff training. The next step is to invite local medical team to China for training and exchanges. The ultimate goal of the project is to enhance the skills and services of local ophthalmic doctors.
In her address, Ambassador Wang Lixin emphasized that the Chinese government's medical assistance and cooperation to the Maldives has come to a new level, from providing "Bright Journey" medical services at the beginning to assisting the establishment of ophthalmology center afterwards, and now the capacity building, aiming to improve the independent development capacity of Maldives and enable the Maldivian medical staff to serve the Maldivian people at home. China's medical aid model to the Maldives is shifting from "offering fish to people" to "teaching people how to fish", which will not only set a new model of sustainable cooperation between the two countries, but also bring more tangible benefits to the Maldivian people.
Vice President Faisal Naseem expressed his heartfelt thanks to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government for the assistance in building capacity and providing quality medical care at the Ophthalmic Center. He highlighted the significance of the assistance provided by the Chinese medical team by emphasizing that over 500 patients were treated in an eye camp in January 2020 and over 1,000 patients were screened earlier as part of such camps with the support of the Chinese government. He expressed confidence in strengthening China-Maldives relations in the future.
Dr. Shah emphasized that the donation of the medical equipment and the continued services of technical expertise by the Chinese medical team would enrich the accessibility and availability of the services provided at China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center, and the resumption of this aid after break of the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament of the strong strategic bond between China and Maldives.
Ms. Mariya extended warm welcome and sincere thanks to the Chinese medical team for their coming back to HMH with material support and technical expertise and upgrading the HMH ophthalmic center.
The Chinese medical team, on behalf of Chinese government, donated medical equipment and medicines worth approximately USD 1 million to Hulhumale’ Hospital (HMH) on the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Amb. Wang Lixin, Vice President Faisal Naseem and other dignitaries were shown around the Ophthalmic Center in Hulhumale’ Hospital by Professor Chen and Ms. Mariya.
