Half a century of medical solidarity between Niger and China celebrated in Niamey

On March 25, 2026, the Hôpital Général de Référence (HGR) in Niamey served as the venue for a historic ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Chinese medical team’s presence in Niger. The event, chaired by the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Physician Colonel-Major Garba Hakimi, commemorated five decades of continuous support, expertise, and dedication provided by successive Chinese medical missions to the Nigerien people.

A partnership built on professionalism and support

During the proceedings, Physician Colonel-Major Garba Hakimi lauded the exceptional discipline and professional integrity of the Chinese medical personnel. Their integration within local health structures has significantly bolstered the capacity of Nigerien facilities, facilitating broader access to essential healthcare. As a tangible gesture of this enduring bond, the Chinese government donated medical supplies and pharmaceuticals valued at approximately 99,244,000 francs to the HGR.

The Minister emphasized that the presence of these missions is a clear indicator of a shared resolve to enhance living conditions and solidify the friendship between the two nations. This cooperation has yielded visible progress in several critical areas: direct patient care, the professional development of local health staff, the transfer of specialized skills, and the implementation of innovative medical technologies. Thousands of citizens have benefited from these high-quality services through this strategic alliance.

Five decades of impact and diplomatic ties

Lyu Guinjun, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Niger, reflected on the history of this collaboration. He noted that for 50 years, the Guangxi Autonomous Region has deployed nearly 800 highly skilled doctors and nurses to Niger. Working alongside their Nigerien counterparts, these “ambassadors in white coats” have treated approximately 1.8 million patients, embodying the spirit of Sino-Nigerien cooperation.

The Ambassador also referenced President Xi Jinping‘s global health vision and mentioned that China‘s recently adopted fifteenth five-year plan will pave the way for even deeper health coordination between the two countries. Du Zhenzong, leading the delegation from the Guangxi Health Commission, added that these teams have provided services to over 2.3 million people and trained more than 45,000 health professionals over the half-century, leaving a lasting legacy in Niger‘s healthcare system.

Commitment to the future of healthcare

The Director General of the Hôpital Général de Référence, Daou Mamane, expressed his gratitude for the significant contributions of the Chinese teams. He noted that the donation of medicines provides vital support not only to his institution but to the national health framework as a whole. He assured the partners that all donated items would be managed transparently and used strictly according to medical standards for the benefit of the population.

The celebration concluded with a symbolic exchange of gifts between Minister Garba Hakimi and the Chinese delegation, followed by the formal signing of a new partnership agreement, ensuring that this fruitful collaboration continues to evolve.