The transition ceremony for the 14th and 15th China Medical Team held on 25th March 2026, recorded a historic significance as it witnessed the unveiling of the China-Ghana Medical Training and Academic Exchange Center at Lekma Hospital in Accra.
The project which is facilitated by Guangdong Medical University in China in partnership with Lekma Hospital and the Health Community of West Africa Association is set to establish a formal framework enabling Ghanaian medical professionals to pursue specialized training and academic exchange programs at Guangdong Medical University in China, building upon over a decade of bilateral health cooperation and creating a sustainable pathway for capacity building and mutual learning between the two nations. The center is expected to serve as a hub for continuous professional development, collaborative research, and advanced clinical training.
Beyond clinical services, previous collaborations between Guangdong Medical University in China in partnership with Lekma Hospital and the Health Community of West Africa Association had already set the tone for this project with webinars and specialized training programs for health professionals such as the first Advanced Training Course in Laparoscopic Surgery, Traditional Chinese Medicine in Gynecology, The use of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Search for Excellence for natural health professionals, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for Nursing Care and Research in Togo for nurses, Radiographic Analysis and AI in dental X-ray for dental surgeons in Senegal.
The newly launched center now provides a permanent structure to expand these initiatives, ensuring they are no longer isolated events but part of a coordinated academic exchange system.
The presence of senior officials from the Health Commission of Guangdong Province WANG Hongbin, Deputy Director-General; GUO Shengnan, Deputy Director of the Division of Exchange and Cooperation; LIU Jun, President of Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital; and TONG Kuang, Vice President of Guangdong Medical University alongside senior staff of Lekma Hospital further underscored the importance of the initiative. Their participation strongly emphasized the significance of sustained collaboration in advancing healthcare delivery, strengthening professional capacity, and promoting knowledge exchange between Ghana and China.
Speaking at the launch Deputy Director-General, Health Commission of Guangdong Province, WANG Hongbin also emphasized that since the deployment of Chinese medical teams began in 2010, cooperation has improved maternal care, enhanced surgical capacity, and enabled staff from Lekma Hospital to train at Guangdong Medical University. The new center consolidates these efforts into a unified framework, strengthening academic mobility and fostering continuous innovation in healthcare delivery.
As the 15th China Medical Team steps into its mission, the China-Ghana Medical Training and Academic Exchange Center stands as a symbol of forward-looking collaboration. It represents more than infrastructure it embodies shared knowledge, professional growth, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes. Through this initiative, Ghanaian medical professionals gain access to specialized training, while Chinese experts benefit from cross-cultural clinical experience, creating a dynamic exchange rooted in partnership and mutual respect.
The launch of the center at Lekma Hospital in partnership with Guangdong Medical University in China and the Health Community of West Africa Association marks a new chapter in China-Ghana healthcare relations one focused on sustainability, academic excellence, and long-term capacity building for the future.
