STORY: Zambian family praises Chinese medical team after successful surgery
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 31, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 10, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:51
LOCATION: Lusaka
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Mary Mbetwa
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARY MBETWA, Resident in Lusaka
3. various of a Chinese doctor doing medical check-up for Mary Mbetwa
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARY MBETWA, Resident in Lusaka
5. various of Chinese doctors training local doctors 
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MARY MBETWA, Resident in Lusaka
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MICHAEL MBETWA, Mary Mbetwa's husband
8. various of Mary Mbetwa talking with her Chinese doctor
9. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): MICHAEL MBETWA, Mary Mbetwa's husband

STORYLINE:

When Mary Mbetwa, a 46-year-old resident of Lusaka, the Zambian capital, started experiencing some discomfort in the right side of her nose in 2011, she did not pay much attention to it and dismissed it as one of those feelings that would go away.
   
As the discomfort persisted, however, she decided to seek medical attention at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, the country's largest referral hospital.
   
After an examination by local doctors, it was established that there was a growth in the nasal passage.

However, a surgery in a local hospital did not solve Mbetwa's problem. She had to undergo more until she received a surgery from Chinese doctors.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARY MBETWA, Resident in Lusaka
"I had four surgeries which were not successful. The fifth one is the one that was successful. When I went to Levy Hospital where I found the Chinese group, the bunch of the Chinese doctors who helped me until the fifth surgery was successful."

The 24th Chinese Medical team examined Mbetwa at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital in 2023 and later conducted a surgery using the nasal endoscopy, the latest techniques used in such situations.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MARY MBETWA, Resident in Lusaka
"From the time I had my fifth surgery, I have not had any challenges. It was one of my successful surgeries of all. Until now, I'm fine and well."

Mbetwa said it has been seven months after the Chinese doctors conducted the surgery and the growth has not returned while previously the growth would return two to three months after the surgery.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MARY MBETWA, Resident in Lusaka
"They really helped me, physically, personally. They are really helping us and they are friendly."

She commended China for sending the medical teams who have been providing valuable help to the people in the country and hoped for the friendship between the two countries to continue.
   
Her husband, Micheal Mbetwa, said Chinese doctors have brought relief not only to his wife but to the family as well.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MICHAEL MBETWA, Mary Mbetwa's husband
"I really appreciate the surgery which was done successfully, because what we have passed through was quite miserable, because my wife now is feeling much better."

Mbetwa said his wife's condition put the family in a hectic situation both emotionally and financially as a lot of money was spent in terms of buying medication, doing tests and other necessities.
   
He thanked the Chinese government for sending the medical teams, adding that the experience and technology of the Chinese doctors has been valuable to the patients in Zambia.

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): MICHAEL MBETWA, Mary Mbetwa's husband
"This friendship should continue, because of the benefits we have achieved from the Chinese people, like building TAZARA (The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority). That is what I can remember."

China has been sending medical teams to Zambia for the past 46 years and a total of 993 Chinese medical experts have so far come to Zambia.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)