A landmark partnership built on friendship, knowledge-sharing and a shared commitment to strengthening healthcare services and saving lives.
Windhoek, Nov 13 — China and Namibia on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, celebrated 30 years of medical cooperation, marking three decades of friendship, professional exchanges and a shared commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
The milestone highlights the longstanding partnership between the two countries, particularly through the deployment of Chinese medical teams to Namibia. Over the years, Chinese healthcare professionals have contributed to strengthening medical services, sharing expertise and supporting local healthcare workers.
Speaking at the commemorative celebration, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Suzan Ndjaleka, described the 30-year partnership as a significant achievement, emphasising its contribution to friendship, professional development and knowledge exchange.
“Thirty years of cooperation is not a small achievement. It represents three decades of friendship, three decades of professional exchanges and three decades of sharing experiences,” Ndjaleka said.
She underscored the importance of international partnerships in the health sector, particularly for Katutura Intermediate Hospital, which serves as a referral hospital and plays an important role in Namibia’s healthcare system.
Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, His Excellency Zhao Weiping, praised the longstanding partnership between the two countries, describing the Chinese medical teams project as one of the most enduring and successful examples of China-Namibia cooperation.
Ambassador Zhao revealed that over the past 30 years, 17 successive Chinese medical teams, comprising a total of 68 medical personnel, have provided free medical services to hundreds of thousands of Namibians.
He highlighted that the teams have not only attended to patients at hospitals but have also extended their services to communities across Namibia through voluntary medical outreach programmes.
The Ambassador congratulated the Chinese medical teams on their achievements and commended Katutura Intermediate Hospital, Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services, and the relevant Chinese health authorities for sustaining the partnership over three decades.
The anniversary also comes at a significant moment in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Namibian President, Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Namibia Community with a Shared Future for the New Era, while committing to deepen cooperation across various sectors, including healthcare.
The joint statement issued during the two countries’ engagement identified medical personnel training, disease prevention and control, health emergency response, and exploring pharmaceutical production in Namibia as key areas for future cooperation.
As China and Namibia look towards the next chapter of their partnership, the 30-year milestone serves as a reminder of the importance of international solidarity, mutual support and investment in human development.
Beyond diplomatic agreements, the medical cooperation has demonstrated how partnerships between nations can translate into meaningful contributions to people’s lives through healthcare services, professional expertise and community engagement.
Three decades of friendship, three decades of cooperation and three decades of healing — a partnership that continues to bring hope and better healthcare opportunities to Namibians.
