Three team members from the 21st Chinese (Shanxi) medical aid team to Cameroon – a republic in Central Africa – were presented with the Cameroon Knight of the National Order of Merit on March 22.

Cameroon Public Health Minister Andre Mama Fouda gave the awards to honor Tian Yuan, Jia Fengying and Li Yundong – all members of the medical aid team – at the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, where the Chinese medical team helps locals fight disease.

Three team members of the 20th Chinese (Shanxi) medical aid team to Cameroon are presented with the Cameroon Knight of the National Order of Merit on March 22. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Robinson Enow Mbu, director-general of the hospital, said that during the nearly one year of assistance work, the medical team had donated anti-epidemic materials, provided professional protection knowledge and training to the hospital, and organized free clinics in orphanages and remote areas.

He said it had also provided medical care to top officials in the Cameroon government.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Wang Yingwu. Wang expressed gratitude to the medical team for its outstanding contributions to China-Cameroon medical and health cooperation, and for their efforts to promote China-Cameroon friendship.

Tian Yuan, head of the medical team, said the award was recognition of the its work, as well as a spur and inspiration. Tian added that the medical team would continue to work hand in hand with colleagues in local hospitals, to deepen China-Cameroon cooperation in the field of medicine and health care.

China's medical aid to Cameroon began in 1975. For nearly half a century, it is said to have made great contributions to mutual medical understanding and cooperation.