By Cremilda Macuácua,China Africa News
Maputo, Mozambique — February 5, 2026 — In early February 2026, doctors from the 26th Chinese medical team to Mozambique brought much‑needed healthcare services to residents of Inhaca Island, a scenic yet underserved part of Maputo, Mozambique’s capital.
Chinese physicians provided free medical consultations and donated essential supplies, addressing common ailments such as wounds, eye diseases, hypertension, diabetes and various types of pain, ultimately benefiting around 240 patients from the local community.
The outreach, organized in collaboration with the China Road and Bridge Corporation, filled a critical gap in local primary healthcare, where complex cases often must be referred to city hospitals, making these free clinics both timely and impactful, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Led by team head Chen Jialei, the initiative also included health education on cholera and malaria prevention in the wake of recent flooding, along with donations of medicines and equipment to bolster local clinics. Designed to meet grassroots health needs and support early diagnosis, the event was part of the larger 2026 China‑Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges, reflecting China’s long‑standing commitment to cooperative public health work in Mozambique, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
This medical outreach is another chapter in a decades‑long partnership between China and Mozambique that extends well beyond episodic clinics. Diplomatic ties date back to soon after Mozambique’s independence in 1975, and China has since sent multiple medical teams now numbering 26 contingents to serve in the country, offering services from routine care to surgery, training, and telemedicine support. Beyond health, the collaboration encompasses infrastructure, education, trade, and cultural exchange: Chinese‑funded projects like the Maputo‑Katembe Bridge and plans for a modern National Surgical Centre at Maputo Central Hospital have helped improve connectivity and medical capacity, while Confucius Institutes foster language and cultural skills among Mozambicans.
Economically, bilateral trade reached over US $5 billion in 2024, with China supporting tariff reductions, agricultural protocols, and investment in sectors such as energy and farming, positioning itself as one of Mozambique’s most significant development partners. High‑level diplomatic engagement continues to reinforce these ties: Chinese foreign officials have reiterated long‑term strategic coordination and cooperation with Mozambique, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations with promises to deepen joint efforts in industrialization, infrastructure, and people‑to‑people exchanges.
