STORY: Algeria holds farewell ceremony for Chinese medical aid team
DATELINE: Sept. 4, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:30
LOCATION: Algiers
CATEGORY: POLITICS/HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the farewell ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ABDELHAK SAIHI, Algerian Health Minister
3. various of the farewell ceremony

STORYLINE:

A heartfelt ceremony was held Sunday at the headquarters of the Algerian Health Ministry to bid farewell to the 27th Chinese medical team that has been steadfast in their service to the North African country.

The Chinese team members received an honorable certificate issued by the Algerian government during the ceremony, which was attended by Algerian Health Minister Abdelhak Saihi, Chinese Ambassador to Algiers Li Jian, and other health officials and professionals.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ABDELHAK SAIHI, Algerian Health Minister
"This amicable ceremony marks the culmination of 60 years of bilateral partnership between Algeria and China in the health sector. In a few days, a new medical team will arrive in Algeria, continuing their valuable work in the same provinces as the outgoing team.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government on behalf of the Algerian government and people. This partnership has been a remarkable success, and I would also like to commend His Excellency Mr. Ambassador of China for his tireless efforts. It is a testament to our strong and enduring ties.
The future of our bilateral partnership in the healthcare domain holds great promise, especially with Chinese investments in Algeria. We are eager to leverage China's advancements in healthcare and technology to benefit our nation. Algeria warmly welcomes Chinese investments in the healthcare sector."

During the event, Li congratulated all the team members for the successful completion of their work in Algeria and for being awarded the honorable certificate, which also testified to the two countries' deepened friendship.

He noted that 60 years ago, China made a pathbreaking move to send its first medical teams to Algeria upon the latter's request, and since then, batches of Chinese medical workers have not only benefitted the locals with their professional services but also fostered friendship among the two peoples.

China has dispatched 27 batches of medical teams to Algeria since 1963, which treated about 27.44 million patients, performed about 1.75 million operations and delivered about 2.08 million newborns.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Algiers.
(XHTV)