In brief
Leila Salum Kanyinyi, a mother of three from Meli Nne, Zanzibar, has ended a year of severe lower back and abdominal pain after Chinese specialists performed a laparoscopic Boari flap ureteroneocystostomy at Lumumba Hospital. The surgery not only restored her health but also trained local physicians, highlighting ongoing China‑Tanzania health cooperation.
A month before the 30th of October, Leila Salum Kanyinyi of Meli Nne in Zanzibar’s Urban West Region was forced to lie on her bed for much of the day, unable to help her three children because a year‑long ache in her lower back and abdomen had left her exhausted and in pain.
Local doctors at Lumumba Hospital, part of Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, first diagnosed her with a narrowing of her right ureter. However, a deeper examination revealed a lengthy stenotic segment in the lower part of the ureter, complicating treatment. Faced with this challenge, the hospital’s team reached out to the 36th Chinese medical team supporting healthcare work on the island.
Wang Wei, a urological specialist and leader of the 36th Chinese medical team, reviewed Kanyinyi’s case and devised a surgical plan. He performed a laparoscopic Boari flap ureteroneocystostomy, a minimally invasive reconstruction that uses a flap of bladder tissue to replace the damaged ureter. This procedure, made possible by laparoscopic equipment donated by China, offered a less traumatic alternative to traditional open surgery.
The operation was not only therapeutic. Wang Wei used the opportunity to train local staff, explaining surgical anatomy, procedural steps and methods to avoid and manage complications. Gideon Safiel Mwasakyalo, a doctor at Lumumba Hospital, noted that the operation exposed the local medical team to a level of expertise that enhanced their skills.
Leila Salum Kanyinyi told Xinhua that “I feel like I have been given a new life.” She expressed gratitude toward the Chinese doctors, adding that she had received “first‑class medical care.” Her post‑operative recovery was swift; she could again tend to her children and resume her work as a food vendor.
China‑Tanzania Health Cooperation Continues to Grow
The successful surgery demonstrates the deepening partnership between China and Tanzania. Chinese specialists have been involved in a range of medical missions on the archipelago, from bone‑surgery training to early‑stage oncology programs. In Zanzibar, the 36th medical team has taken a hands‑on approach, equipping local hospitals with advanced tools and providing on‑site education.
According to Xinhua’s editorial description, the intervention by the 36th team “highlighted the growing China‑Tanzania health cooperation.” The operation at Lumumba Hospital illustrates a model where international expertise and local commitment converge to provide life‑saving care while building long‑term capacity.
Leila’s story has already inspired several families in Zanzibar to seek early diagnosis and treatment. Health officials hope that the visibility of such success stories will encourage further collaboration, improve medical infrastructure, and ultimately reduce suffering across the island.
