Guinea-Bissau has awarded diplomas of merit to 17 Chinese doctors who have completed their mission as part of an ongoing co-operation scheme, the Macauhub website reports.

Macauhub quotes Guinea-Bissau’s Health Minister Carlitos Barai as saying the awards recognise “the excellent services provided by Chinese doctors during the four years that they were in the country”.

Beijing has sent 233 health professionals to Guinea-Bissau since 1976, according to Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Wang Hua. Health teams offer health services to the population and also help train medical staff, he says.

A new medical team from the Mainland has replaced the outgoing medical staff.