On May 10, Prime Minister Kamil of Djibouti held a ceremony to award the COVID-19 medical expert group of China in the People’s Hall. Mr. Yong Zeng, the group leader, was awarded the “Independence Day Medal for Officer", and the other eleven experts were awarded the “Independence Day Medal for Knight”.
The “Independence Day Medal” of the Republic of Djibouti was established on June 27 1978 when the country declared independence. The honor is conferred on no more than three recipients each time. However, this honor has been given to 12 people simultaneously this time. This has been the first time in the history of the “Independence Day Medal”. At the medal ceremony, Premier Kamil once again thanked the Chinese government for sending a medical expert group to help fight COIVD-19 in Djibouti; and he spoke highly of the work of the Chinese medical experts in Djibouti. After learning about the local epidemic situation, the medical experts put forward suggestions to the Djibouti government. As a result, they have won widespread recognition among the Djibouti counterparts.
Mr. Ruisheng Zhuo, the Chinese ambassador, said that the dispatch of the medical expert group best symbolizes the friendship between China and Djibouti and between China and Africa. It has written a new chapter of friendship between China and Djibouti. Yong Zeng, head of the expert group and vice president of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, said that viruses know no borders and are the common enemy of all mankind. He believed that the Djibouti people would win the war against COVID-19 under the leadership of the Djibouti government and with the assistance of China and the international community.
The expert group arrived in Djibouti on April 30. During the following ten days, the experts visited six designated hospitals and medical centers in Djibouti multiple times. They inspected isolation centers and intensive care units. In the scalding heat of more than 40 degrees, the experts were dressed in protective gears and talked with local medical staff about the treatment and explored every step that could be improved. In addition, the experts also provided medical and health guidance for 300 Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese in Djibouti, offering them the care of the motherland. The expert group will leave for home on the morning of May 11 local time.
