Chinese 'Trip of Light' in Sudan

KHARTOUM - A team of Chinese ophthalmologists on Thursday conducted a number of eye surgeries for Sudanese patients in Khartoum as part of a medical cooperation between the two countries.

A Chinese doctor examines the eyes of a patient, during the "Trip of Light" project made by Chinese doctors as part of Sino-Sudanese bilateral relations, at an eye hospital in Khartoum January 14, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The surgeries, conducted at the Eye Teaching Hospital in Khartoum, came "as part of the Sudan-China partnership to combat blindness in Sudan," Dr. Abdul-Baqui Abu Kasawi, medical director of the hospital, told Xinhua.

"The Chinese medical team will conduct around 250 surgeries (in one week). This is a beginning of a great cooperation between the two countries. We commend the spirit of cooperation shown by the members of the visiting Chinese medical delegation," he added.

Head of the Chinese medical team, Mai Yan, said that "we conducted around 35 surgeries yesterday (Wednesday) and after re-examining the cases today it turned out that the surgeries were very successful."

"We have found patients in great need for theses surgeries, where most of them are infected with cataract, which needs urgent medical intervention," she told Xinhua.

Mohamed Abdul-Rahman Adam, a Sudanese patient who has undergone an eye surgery, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Chinese medical team. "I have undergone a very successful surgery under the care of the Chinese medical team. This is an appreciated work that serves the horizons of cooperation between Sudan and China," Adam said.

China has sent 29 medical missions consisting of 768 members to Sudan since 1971.