In a hospital in Kuwaiti city, capital of Kuwait, a group of Chinese doctors and nurses are proving that their work has not only helped cure the ailing in the country, but also promote closer friendly bonds between the two countries.
Tuesday marks this year's International Nurse Day, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. And for those Chinese medical workers practicing in Kuwait's Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, offering professional medical care just as usual to those in need is no doubt the best way to celebrate the spirit of the Italian born legendary nursing pioneer.
Ever since 1976, the Chinese government, according to bilateral agreements, has begun to dispatch medical professionals to Kuwait. So far, a total of 10 medical teams have completed their mission and returned home. The current team, the 11th group, came to the Gulf country in November last year, and it has seven doctors, seven nurses and a translator, all from China's northeastern Jilin province.
While treating their patients, the Chinese medical doctors and nurses would always choose some of the very traditional Chinese medical therapies, such as acupuncture, cupping glass, and massage.
Li Lijuan, head nurse on the team, said there are a large number of asthmatics and obese because of the climate and their diet, and many patients, while receiving traditional Chinese treatment, feel both curious and scared when they saw these glittering needles and glasses.
According to Chinese medical theories, for acupuncture to be effective, the doctors need their patients' feedback on how they feel when the needles are inserted into their bodies at acupuncture points.
In such a country as Kuwait, whose people simply know little about such a special medical treat, communication is even more important and difficult. Yet, the Chinese medical workers have never shrunk from their due responsibilities in explaining how this centuries-old therapy works despite the language and cultural gaps.
To better communicate with patients, the Chinese medical team members have done a lot in their spare time to learn foreign languages. In six months, all the nurses can now speak English.
Their hard work has finally earned the trust and respect from the people they serve. Each day, as many as some 200 patients would come to the Chinese doctors, and that number is still growing.
Abu Ali, former chief of KOC Ahmadi Hospital, is very much familiar with the Chinese doctors, as he has always come to the hospital for his degenerative joint conditions.
He said he had been to foreign countries for his illness, and taken a lot of pills and injections before, but with little improvement. So Ali chose to try acupuncture, and after some time, he can walk with less pain. Now, Ali and the Chinese are very best friends.
Yao Liying, a Chinese nurse, said it is true they have to handle many problems while working and living in Kuwait, yet it is their job to embrace the legacy of Florence Nightingale, and to give it their all so that those who suffer may heal at last.
