Chinese doctors' newspaper column helps raise health awareness in PNG

In a move to raise public health awareness, the 15th Chinese medical team in Papua New Guinea recently launched a dedicated health education column in one of the country's largest newspapers, Post-Courier. According to the team, this is the first time in 62 years of China's overseas medical aid that such a collaboration has been established.

The inaugural column coincides with Movember, the global campaign encouraging men to grow mustaches in November to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. The first article focuses on the high incidence of prostate health issues among Papua New Guinea's male population, addressing the country's large gap in awareness and screening for prostate diseases.

Zhang Teng, the team's urology specialist, authored the column, highlighting the causes, early symptoms, screening methods, and preventive measures for prostate cancer. The article also includes practical self-care tips such as maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. It stresses the importance of seeking medical attention for blood in urine or semen, difficulty urinating, and lower back pain to avoid missing optimal treatment opportunities.

"The establishment of this column is an innovative step by the 15th Chinese medical team toward deepening public health services in Papua New Guinea," said team leader Xu Wei. He added that the column would be updated monthly, featuring topics including thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, gynecology, cardiology, neonatology, dentistry, and traditional Chinese medicine. Each installment will be written by specialists from the team.

Both the Chinese medical team and the newspaper recognized the lack of public health education in the country and decided to set up the column to raise awareness, educate the public, and provide health information to communities, especially those with limited access to medical resources.

"They don't just arrive to provide temporary help — they come to share knowledge, strengthen our hospitals, and give hope to families who might otherwise go without care," said Grace Salmang, a health journalist with the Post-Courier who has followed the Chinese medical teams for many years.

Since 1963, China has dispatched more than 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions, treating nearly 300 million patients, according to the National Health Commission. Over the years, Chinese doctors have developed innovative ways to improve local health conditions, including building specialized clinics in local hospitals, using 5G and artificial intelligence technology for remote consultations and disease screening, and sending short-term surgical teams to treat cataract and congenital heart disease patients.

In March, the 14th Chinese medical team to Papua New Guinea launched a breast disease clinic at Port Moresby General Hospital in the nation's capital. It is the first standardized breast disease clinic in the country and represents a new phase of healthcare cooperation focused on precision treatment and public welfare between the two nations.

"These teams of doctors and nurses have quietly but steadily strengthened our health system through free medical care, specialist services, and training for local staff," Salmang said. "Their contribution goes beyond short-term aid. By sharing medical skills, introducing new services such as breast health and dialysis care, and donating vital equipment, they have built long-term capacity within our hospitals."

Chongqing first sent a medical team to Papua New Guinea in July 2002. Entrusted by the National Health Commission, it was the first Chinese medical team dispatched to the South Pacific region.

The 10-member 15th Chinese medical team, led by Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, includes experts from several top-tier hospitals. They departed for Papua New Guinea on Oct 13 to begin a yearlong medical mission at Port Moresby General Hospital.

tanyingzi@chinadaily.com.cn