Since 1978, the Ningxia Hui autonomous region in Northwest China has sent 26 medical aid teams comprising 616 medical workers to Benin in West Africa based on a protocol signed between China and the Beninese governments.

Using their wide range of expertise, they successfully performed over 100,000 surgical operations and saved the lives of millions of local residents.

Among them, 33 Chinese medical workers have been awarded the medal of honor by Benin's government.

Ma Jie, an anaesthesiologist from First People's Hospital of Yinchuan and a second-timer to Benin, made preparations before the 26th team left Ningxia's capital, Yinchuan, on Aug 3 for an 18-month stint in Benin.

"I first joined the foreign aid program in 2019 and found the country in short supply of various medical equipment and medicines," Ma said. "Some medical technologies commonly used in China are still unavailable in Benin.

"In addition, most of the patients we received were in critical or urgent condition that required general anesthesia." he said. "So, before departure, I purchased some urgently needed medical supplies and donated them to Benin's hospital."

In recent months, he also provided training courses to medical workers in Benin.