Zhang Yueming, a surgeon at the Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan province, embarked on his first mission to Africa in March last year.

Initially planning a one-year stint, he voluntarily extended his service until March 2026, driven by the urgent need to bridge gaps in Zimbabwe's healthcare system and his commitment to fostering Sino-African solidarity.

The 42-year-old is a member of the 21st Chinese (Hunan) Medical Aid Team to Zimbabwe.

The 11-person team recently received the Medal for Meritorious Service, the nation's highest honor for meritorious service to Zimbabwe.

Upon arriving at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Zimbabwe's largest public hospital, Zhang observed outdated surgical practices.

Determined to elevate standards, he emphasized reduced trauma and faster recovery. His first demonstration, a high-stakes surgery on a 43-year-old woman weighing over 100 kilograms, became a turning point.

The patient's gallbladder was severely inflamed and adhered to surrounding tissues, complicating the procedure.

With antiquated equipment and unfamiliar staff, Zhang meticulously navigated the challenges, completing the surgery in under 30 minutes, earning admiration from local colleagues.

"My goal is to share China's advanced medical expertise so Zimbabwean people can benefit," he said.

The team has faced logistical nightmares: borrowing ultrasonic scalpels from private hospitals, improvising with scarce surgical supplies and navigating delays caused by patients' inability to afford treatment, he said.

Beyond surgeries, Zhang has prioritized capacity-building. During his first year, he conducted over 100 procedures, trained local surgeons through hands-on workshops and organized virtual academic forums to introduce cutting-edge techniques.

The surgeon's contributions have extended beyond hospital walls, with him leading medical outreach to remote regions, braving arduous 10-hour drives to treat over 400 patients, often in makeshift clinics overwhelmed by crowds.

"Chinese doctors are trusted here," he said, reflecting on the gratitude of locals who line up for free consultations and minor surgeries.

The decision to extend his service stemmed from professional and personal convictions.

Life in Zimbabwe tested his resilience. Frequent power outages, water shortages and the omnipresent risk of HIV exposure demanded constant vigilance.

"Protective gear is stifling, but necessary," he said.

Despite these hardships, Zhang has found warmth in Zimbabwe's temperate climate, the professionalism of local medical workers and the profound appreciation of communities he has served in.

"Zimbabwe's beauty — rolling highlands reminiscent of China's Yunnan province — and the warmth of its people offered solace," he said.

Personal sacrifices weighed heavily. Video calls with his 9-year-old son in Changsha were intermittent due to spotty Wi-Fi, yet his son's pride in his father's work fueled Zhang's resolve.

Zhang said he feels very happy that his son understands his career and his choice to leave home and go to Africa, but he is not sure that he wants his son to follow his path, because he worries about the toll this career takes.

The surgeon said he's seeing the great work of the medical teams being passed on. "We aim to leave behind a 'permanent medical team' — a skilled local workforce," he said.

Zhu Youfang contributed to this story.