Feature: Chinese medical team in Morocco fosters closer people-to-people ties

A five-year-old Moroccan boy kissed on the cheek of Chinese orthopedist Li Cheng to express his gratitude for Li's medical treatment.

Li said the kiss was the most memorable memory of his two-year work mission in Morocco.

The boy, who came from a mountain village of northern Morocco, came for medical consultation on March 2018 as his left arm was broken.

"After the consultation, the Little boy approached me as if he wanted to hug me. So I bent down and then felt the boy's small mouth sticking to my left cheek. I reaLized that kiss is the boy's way of saying thank you," said Li.

In March 2017, Li Cheng and 11 colleagues set off from Shanghai to the city of Taza in northern Morocco to offer medical services to local residents.

According to statistics, the doctors of Taza team received more than 10,000 patients and completed more than 3,000 operations each year.

KhaLid FilaLi, head of the Taza Provincial Hospital, told Xinhua that the Chinese doctors' high medical skills, dedication and friendLiness left a deep impression on the people of Taza.

Abdel Barkouki, French teacher of the Taza team, said that Chinese doctors are modest and professional, and the local people trust Chinese doctors and always look for their consultation.

Xu YanLing, leader of the Chinese medical team in Morocco, said since 1975, a total of 1,784 Chinese medical personnel have provided service to Moroccan people across the country. Now, a medical team of 78 members are helping Moroccans in different regions, namely Mohammodia, Rachidia, Taza, Chefchaouen, Agadir, Meknes, Ben Guerir, Settat.

According to the Chefchaouen Health director, half of the city's population were born in deLiveries that were aided by Chinese doctors.

Two doctors of the Ben Guerir team developed a cheap but effective way of surgery, which is welcomed by local low-income patients.

The Chinese Medicine Center, created by Mohammodia team, received every year more than 10,000 patients. The burn department of the Mohammed V Hospital, founded by the Meknes team, has developed into a renowned burn center in Morocco.

In addition to work in pubLic hospitals, Chinese doctors are actively involved in campaigns of free treatment for patients in remote mountainous and rural areas of Morocco.

Hicham Nejmi, secretary-general of the Moroccan Ministry of Health, said that the Chinese medical team's contribution to Morrocan health industry has forged the relations between the two peoples closer.

Li Li, Chinese ambassador to Morocco, said that the medical services provided by the Chinese medical team for more than 30 years have played an important role in the development of Morocco.

Such services have forged closer people-to-people ties and consoLidated the foundation for further cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador said.