这位中国医生主动延长援非期限，是为了……

Zhang Yueming, a surgeon at the Third Hospital of Changsha, Hunan province, embarked on his first mission to Africa in March last year.

2024年3月，湖南省长沙市第三医院普通外科医师张月明首次被派往非洲执行任务。

Initially planning a one-year stint, he voluntarily extended his service until March 2026, driven by the urgent need to bridge gaps in Zimbabwe's healthcare system and his commitment to fostering Sino-African solidarity.

最初他计划在非洲工作一年，但由于津巴布韦医疗体系存在迫切需要填补的缺口，而他出于促进中非团结的信念，于是自愿申请将服务期延长至2026年3月。

The 42-year-old is a member of the 21st Chinese (Hunan) Medical Aid Team to Zimbabwe.

42岁的张月明医生是中国（湖南）第21批援津医疗队的一员。

The 11-person team recently received the Medal for Meritorious Service, the nation's highest honor for meritorious service to Zimbabwe.

这支由11人组成的医疗队最近荣获津巴布韦共和国卓越勋章，这是津巴布韦授予为该国做出卓越贡献者的最高荣誉。

Upon arriving at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Zimbabwe's largest public hospital, Zhang observed outdated surgical practices.

在抵达津巴布韦最大的公立医院帕瑞仁雅塔（Parirenyatwa）医院后，张月明发现当地的外科手术操作方式陈旧过时。

Determined to elevate standards, he emphasized reduced trauma and faster recovery. His first demonstration, a high-stakes surgery on a 43-year-old woman weighing over 100 kilograms, became a turning point.

他决心要提高医术水平，强调要减少手术创伤并加快患者康复速度。他首次示范的高难度手术，其患者是一名体重超过100公斤的43岁女性，而这次手术也成为了一个转折点。

The patient's gallbladder was severely inflamed and adhered to surrounding tissues, complicating the procedure.

该患者的胆囊严重发炎且与周围组织粘连，这使得手术过程更加复杂。

With antiquated equipment and unfamiliar staff, Zhang meticulously navigated the challenges, completing the surgery in under 30 minutes, earning admiration from local colleagues.

在设备陈旧且对同事不熟悉的情况下，张月明严谨应对各种挑战，在30分钟内完成了手术，赢得了当地同事的认可与钦佩。

"My goal is to share China's advanced medical expertise so Zimbabwean people can benefit," he said.

他表示：“我的目标是分享中国先进的医学专业知识，让津巴布韦人民从中受益。”

The team has faced logistical nightmares: borrowing ultrasonic scalpels from private hospitals, improvising with scarce surgical supplies and navigating delays caused by patients' inability to afford treatment, he said.

他指出，医疗队面临着许多后勤方面的难题，如需从私立医院借用超声手术刀、手术耗材稀缺等，还要应对因患者无力承担治疗费用而导致的延误。

Beyond surgeries, Zhang has prioritized capacity-building. During his first year, he conducted over 100 procedures, trained local surgeons through hands-on workshops and organized virtual academic forums to introduce cutting-edge techniques.

除了执行手术，张月明还将能力建设放在首位。在援非之旅第一年里，他完成了100多台手术，通过实操工坊培训当地外科医生，并组织线上学术论坛来引进前沿技术。

The surgeon's contributions have extended beyond hospital walls, with him leading medical outreach to remote regions, braving arduous 10-hour drives to treat over 400 patients, often in makeshift clinics overwhelmed by crowds.

这位外科医生的付出远远不止在医院内，他还带领医疗队前往偏远地区开展医疗服务，顶着困难驱车10个小时去为400多名患者治疗，时常在人满为患的临时诊所里忙碌。

"Chinese doctors are trusted here," he said, reflecting on the gratitude of locals who line up for free consultations and minor surgeries.

“中国医生在这里很受信任。” 他说，想到当地人排队等候免费问诊和做完微型手术后流露出的感激之情，他感慨万千。

The decision to extend his service stemmed from professional and personal convictions.

出于自身的职业道德和个人信念，张月明决定延长自己的援非服务期。

Life in Zimbabwe tested his resilience. Frequent power outages, water shortages and the omnipresent risk of HIV exposure demanded constant vigilance.

津巴布韦的生活考验着他的韧性。频繁的停电、缺水以及无处不在的艾滋感染风险，都需要他时刻保持警惕。

"Protective gear is stifling, but necessary," he said.

“虽然防护装备让人憋闷，但必不可少。” 他说。

Despite these hardships, Zhang has found warmth in Zimbabwe's temperate climate, the professionalism of local medical workers and the profound appreciation of communities he has served in.

尽管困难重重，但津巴布韦温和的气候、当地医务工作者的专业精神以及社区群众的深切感激，都让张月明从中感受到了满满温暖。

"Zimbabwe's beauty — rolling highlands reminiscent of China's Yunnan province — and the warmth of its people offered solace," he said.

“津巴布韦很美，连绵起伏的高地让人想起中国的云南省，而且这里的人们很热情，这给了我许多慰藉。” 他说。

Personal sacrifices weighed heavily. Video calls with his 9-year-old son in Changsha were intermittent due to spotty Wi-Fi, yet his son's pride in his father's work fueled Zhang's resolve.

个人牺牲有时也会让他顿感沉重。由于无线网络信号不稳定，张月明与9岁儿子的视频通话时断时续，但孩子对他工作的骄傲感增强了他的信心。

Zhang said he feels very happy that his son understands his career and his choice to leave home and go to Africa, but he is not sure that he wants his son to follow his path, because he worries about the toll this career takes.

张月明说，他很高兴儿子理解他的职业以及他离家前往非洲的选择，但出于对这份职业所需代价的担忧，他不确定是否希望儿子追随他的脚步。

The surgeon said he's seeing the great work of the medical teams being passed on. "We aim to leave behind a 'permanent medical team' — a skilled local workforce," he said.

这位外科医生表示，他见证着中国援非医疗队事业的代代传续。“我们的目标是留下一支‘带不走的医疗队’——一支技术娴熟的当地医疗队伍。” 他说。