On Sunday morning of 22nd September, 2019, in order to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chinese National Day, the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste and the 8th Chinese Medical Team jointly conducted a free clinic at Compo Arol, Dili to provide free consultation and treatment for the villagers around the Embassy. H.E. Dr. Xiao Jianguo, Ambassador of China to Timor-Leste was present and greeted the villagers and the medical doctors.

Ambassador Xiao said that the free clinic is a traditional program of the Chinese medical team. Since its arrival in Timor-Leste in May, 2019, the 8th Medical Team has conducted free clinic eight times. Chinese doctors give up their spare time during weekends and visit the different districts from time to time to provide free and basic medical service to poor people in urban or rural areas of Timor-Leste. They help the Timorese people relieve pain and improve their quality of life. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Chinese medical team serving in Timor-Leste. Over the past 15 years, the Chinese government has sent 8 batches of medical teams totalling around 100 doctors to Timor-Leste, who provide premium health service to about 300 thousand Timorese patients. It’s a good example of people-to-people connectivity under the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Timor-Leste.

The free clinic set up departments such as cardiology, general surgery, orthopedics, pain and relief, acupuncture, urology and gynecology. The villagers, including the old and the young, actively participated in the free clinic. The Chinese doctors with professional attitude and excellent skills were appreciated. During 3 hours, about 200 patients were treated.