Jiang Wen, standing between two local women at a hospital in Mali, holds a new-born child in her arms. [Photo/wifizs.cn]

Jiang Wen, deputy director of the Zhoushan Maternity and Infant Hospital, was honored with the title of "advanced individual" at a provincial awards ceremony for outstanding foreign aid medical units and individuals in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. 

Jiang was a member of the 20th Zhejiang Medical Team to Mali, a Western African country, during 2007 and 2009. The team provided gynecological services for local residents at a hospital in the capital city of Bamako. 

Mali suffers from an undeveloped health system and a large shortage of medical personnel. During her time there, Jiang Wen was the only gynecologist in the country. 

Jiang saved the lives of many people with her brilliant skills and lofty medical ethics over the two years. 

"It was a valuable experience for me in Mali and I feel honored to have had the chance to bring China's advanced medical techniques to Africa," said Jiang. 

Jiang also sent her best wishes to two other doctors from the hospital, who were selected as members of the 26th Zhejiang Medical Team to Mali and were about to start their journey soon.

"I hope that they will successfully complete the mission assigned by our country to help the African people, put their medical skills to good use, and stay safe," said Jiang.

The 14th Zhejiang Medical Team to Central Africa, where Rong Yonghua, a doctor from the city's Putuo district, was also honored as an advanced medical unit at the ceremony. 

The year 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Zhejiang's efforts to send medical teams to Africa. The province has sent 53 teams of 1,127 medical workers to Mali, Central Africa and Namibia, providing medical services to around 12.26 million people. 

Jiang Wen sees a patient at the Zhoushan Maternity and Infant Hospital. [Photo/wifizs.cn]

The provincial awards ceremony for outstanding foreign aid medical units and individuals is held in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, on Dec 11. [Photo/wifizs.cn]