Anesthesiologist He Kun (first from left) and gynecologist Liu Fang (second from left) from the 16th Chinese medical team to Nepal hold a consultation to treat a senior Nepalese woman at the B.P. THE 16TH CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM TO NEPAL TO CHINA DAILY
In the heart of Nepal's southern Terai plains, nestled within the vibrant community of Chitwan, stands the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. Every day, patients from Nepal and neighboring South Asian countries line up, seeking treatment at this crucial hub of oncology care.
Established in late 1998 with the assistance of the Chinese government, this hospital is a beacon of hope and healing in the region.
Since 1999, waves of medical teams from China's Hebei province have journeyed to Chitwan district, forming an unbroken chain of support that has spanned over two decades. More than 250 Chinese doctors have participated in this mission, initially focusing on clinical support and gradually expanding to include the co-development of specialized departments, the establishment of treatment protocols, and the training of local medical talent.
Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan on Dec 23, 2024. Chinese doctor Zhang Tao (second from left) and his Nepalese colleagues conduct a malignant tumor surgery at the hospital on Dec 3. THE 16TH CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM TO NEPAL TO CHINA DAILY
Through daily rounds, case discussions and hands-on training, Chinese and Nepali doctors have forged a strong bond of trust and collaboration. Many of the Chinese medical teams have earned accolades such as the "National Health Guardian Medal" and the "Outstanding Contribution Award" from the Nepali government.
In July 2024, the 16th medical team from China arrived in Nepal. Comprising 17 members, primarily doctors in their 30s and 40s, the team includes five PhDs and 14 senior and associate chief physicians, covering 12 specialties such as traditional Chinese medicine, urology, neurology, gynecology, orthopedics and hematology. The team represents a new generation of medical professionals committed to international cooperation.
Guo Chao, a member of the medical team, comforts a child patient on Dec 31, 2024. THE 16TH CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM TO NEPAL TO CHINA DAILY
Beyond Chitwan, the 16th team expanded their mission by establishing an international traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation and treatment center, the first of its kind in Nepal, in Kathmandu at the end of 2024.
This marked a strategic shift from single-point support to a multipoint collaborative approach, integrating their efforts more deeply into the fabric of Nepali society.
The team have also conducted over a dozen outreach clinics, extending their services to the Nepali Armed Police Force, local temples, orphanages and various Chinese enterprises operating in Nepal. These efforts have ensured that their medical collaboration extends beyond the hospital walls, fostering a deeper integration into the local community.
Members of the 16th Chinese medical team to Nepal take a group photo at the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan district on Dec 25. CUI NAN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
In 2020, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the idea of jointly building "a global community of health for all". Through these initiatives, China has demonstrated its commitment to building a "Health Silk Road" and contributing to the global health community. In 2025, which marked the 75th anniversary of China's foreign aid efforts and the 62nd anniversary of its medical teams' overseas missions, China's contribution to global health governance has been profound.
A Chinese doctor checks a Nepalese worker's health during a free clinic given by the team on Aug 27, 2024. THE 16TH CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM TO NEPAL TO CHINA DAILY
Since dispatching its first medical team abroad in 1963, China has sent 31,000 medical workers to 77 countries and regions, treating 300 million patients. In many of these countries, Chinese medical teams are revered as "white-clad angels" bringing health and peace.
The stories of Chinese medical teams in Nepal serve as a testament to the power of international cooperation and the shared pursuit of a healthier future for all humanity.
chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn
Doctor Wang Xiumin teaches traditional Chinese medicine knowledge to Nepalese students at the hospital on April 4. THE 16TH CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM TO NEPAL TO CHINA DAILY
Doctor Jia Songtao from the team gives a massage treatment to a local patient at a hospital in Kathmandu on Dec 22. CUI NAN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
Members of the team play badminton at the cancer hospital on Dec 25. CUI NAN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
Members of the team take lunch at the team's canteen on Dec 25. CUI NAN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
Members of the medical team hold a free clinic for Nepali Armed Police Force officers and their family members in Kathmandu on March 8. CUI NAN/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
