Three Chinese Ophthalmic medical experts from China-Maldives Eye Center arrived at Fuvahmulah Airport for the Bright Journey mission initiated by the Chinese Embassy on 16 June 2023.
The medical experts were welcomed by Fuvahmulah City Council and Fuvahmulah Hospital.
Following their arrival, the launching ceremony of Chinese Ophthalmic Medical Experts Bright Journey was held on 17 June. Chinese Ambassador H.E. Wang Lixin, Health Minister Ahmed Naseem, Fuvahmulah City Mayor Ismail Rafeeq, and MP Hussain Mohamed attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin stated that China-Maldives Eye Center has become a new landmark of China-Maldives friendship, which brought back light to many locals and has been warmly welcomed and highly appreciated by the Maldivian people.
“To reach out to more Maldivian people living in faraway islands, we decided to have a Bright Journey project in Fuvahmulah, which got a very positive response from the Ministry of Health and Fuvahmulah City,” Ambassador Wang said.
Ambassador Wang also noted the importance of medical cooperation for China-Maldives friendly relations. This initiative is blazing the trail for a new model of cooperation with success, to not only help Maldivian people back to light but also strengthen Maldives’ self-development capability and help build Maldives’ own eye center in the future.
Concluding her remarks Ambassador Wang highlighted that China is always ready to provide medical cooperation to Maldives in hardware and software areas to improve people’s livelihood and help realize President Xi’s proposal of building a global community of health for all. She wished the Bright Journey a full success that “shed more light” on Maldives people.
Minister Naseem and Mayor Rafeeq extended their appreciation to the Chinese medical team, stressing that the Bright Journey will benefit more Maldivians and has become another vivid testimony to the China-Maldives friendship.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Wang Lixin visited the team and patients with Minister and Mayor. All patients expressed their gratitude for getting assistance from the Chinese medical team.
Hundreds of Fuvahmulah people came to the hospital, ranging from ages 24-day to 88-year old, for eye-sight checks, glaucoma, cataract exam and more. The team has treated over 120 patients, working from sunrise to late night.
On June 18th, the medical team finished the Journey. Though time is short, they have done an excellent job & received many thanks and praises from local people. We’re looking forward to having more Bright Journey tours in the Maldives and bringing light back to more Maldivian people!
Glimpse of the trip by Chinese Ophthalmic medical experts