Ceremony Held to Farewell 4th China Medical Team and Welcome 5th Team

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, together with the Chinese Embassy in Honiara, hosted a ceremony on 17 March to bid farewell to the 4th China Medical Team (CMT) and welcome the 5th team to the National Referral Hospital. 

Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil expressed gratitude to the 4th CMT for their dedicated service to the people of Solomon Islands and warmly welcomed the incoming 5th team. She highlighted the legacy of the CMT’s contributions, particularly the opening of the Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC) on 24 January 2025, following the completion of the new hospital wing in December 2024. Public access to the facility began in June 2025. Mrs. McNeil thanked Dr. Zhao Xueke, Team Leader, and the 4th CMT for introducing new subspecialist care services. 

“Since 2022, the CMT has attended to tens of thousands of patients, extending services even to remote provinces. Their professionalism, diligence, and mentorship of local doctors have been invaluable,” she said. She recalled milestones such as the first cardiac intervention in 2023, performed by Dr. Shi, who successfully resuscitated a patient and inserted a pacemaker, and the first dialysis session in 2022, which provided life-saving treatment and significant symptom relief. Dialysis remains limited to acute cases, with plans to expand to chronic renal failure treatments once supplies increase. 

“As we farewell the 4th CMT, we are immensely proud of your contributions. You have helped establish the CMC and provided advanced specialist care, marking a significant milestone in our nation’s healthcare journey. To our new colleagues of the 5th CMT, I extend a warm welcome. Your presence will be just as vital, and we are committed to supporting you as you integrate into our local team,” Mrs. McNeil added. 

H.E. Ambassador Cai Weiming of the People’s Republic of China also paid tribute to the 4th CMT and welcomed the 5th team. He emphasized that health and medical cooperation is a cornerstone of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Solomon Islands and China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2019, medical cooperation has yielded significant results, becoming a hallmark of practical collaboration. 

Ambassador Cai noted that since 2022, four groups of Chinese Medical Teams have provided services to over 63,000 people, completed more than 400 surgeries, and rescued over 800 critically ill patients. They have also trained hundreds of local medical workers and extended outreach clinics to communities across all nine provinces. 

He highlighted the achievements of the 4th CMT, including the establishment of the Minimally Invasive Urology Surgery Centre and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Centre at the NRH Comprehensive Medical Centre. Advanced technologies such as holmium laser lithotripsy, minimally invasive coronary angiography, and stent implantation have enabled significant breakthroughs in medical services. 

“With the arrival of the 5th CMT, which includes two female doctors—one specializing in breast diseases—the team will strengthen medical professionalism and provide more targeted support for women’s health. Efforts will also focus on optimizing outreach programs, addressing locally prevalent tropical and chronic illnesses, and delivering more targeted diagnostic and treatment services,” said Ambassador Cai. 

MHMS Permanent Secretary Mrs. McNeil sharing her remarks at the event

People’s Republic of China to Solomon Islands H.E Ambassador Cai Weiming sharing his remarks at the event

Group photo of Health Permanent Secretary and Executive, HODs, CMC staffs and the People’s Republic of China Ambassador and his officials and 4th and 5th China Medical Teams

PS McNeil handing over a certificate of appreciation to one of the 4th China Medical Team members at the farewell ceremony and welcome ceremony.

4th CMT Leader Dr Zhao

5th CMT Leader Dr Chu

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