By Huang Weixin, Xiao Jiaxin, People’s Daily
“Serving the people knows no borders. As a Chinese doctor, I am proud to let my Tanzanian colleagues feel the strength of our country and our profession,” Zhang Junqiao, the leader of the 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania, wrote in a final social media post.
Days later, on June 15, these words became his legacy. Witnessing a local woman drowning off the coast of Dar es Salaam, Zhang sprinted into the surf to rescue her. Though the woman survived, the 38-year-old anesthesiologist, overcome by exhaustion, perished in the waves despite desperate resuscitation attempts by his colleagues.
A Zhang had arrived in Dar es Salaam in early 2024, serving at Muhimbili National Hospital where he specialized in anesthesiology and trained local medical staff.
His sudden death left his colleagues heartbroken and deeply moved the local community. At a memorial on June 20, more than 300 Tanzanian medical personnel, residents, and members of the Chinese community gathered in solemn silence, standing side by side to bid farewell to Zhang.
As Tanzania’s top referral facility, Muhimbili National Hospital faces a long-standing shortage of anesthesiologists despite having multiple surgical centers. Zhang took it upon himself to address the gap by organizing targeted training sessions for local healthcare professionals and medical students. To those he trained, Zhang was not only a skilled clinician but also a man of profound compassion, generosity, and sincerity.
“He was truly a hero. We will never forget him,” said Daniel Munubi, acting head of anesthesia at the hospital. “He imparted his expertise generously, never keeping his knowledge to himself. We had hoped for more time with him. Fate decided otherwise.”
“He rarely declined patients seeking help,” said team member Guo Qing. Guo recalled that Zhang was incredibly dedicated, initiating many groundbreaking efforts at the hospital and organizing multiple clinical training sessions. Zhang had hoped to establish a clinical simulation center for anesthesiology and train more local talent to “leave behind a medical team that won’t leave” in Tanzania.
“Dr. Zhang’s actions speak louder than words. His sacrifice embodies pure humanitarianism and will endure in memory,,” said Elic William Mwakaungila, a nurse anaesthetist from Muhimbili National Hospital, who now studies in north China’s Shanxi province. Fighting tears, he added: “I came to China because of him. He urged me to gain knowledge and bring it home. He wasn’t just a colleague. He was my best friend and role model.”
During a free community clinic, the medical team encountered 8-year-old Louis suffering from severe congenital umbilical hernia. With the assistance of the team, his family went to Muhimbili National Hospital for diagnosis and treatment, but could not afford the hospitalization expenses. Zhang and his colleagues pooled their own funds to cover the hospital expenses of little Louis. After successful surgery, the boy’s mother requested a Chinese name from the medical team, who chose “Qilu” – the poetic name for Shandong province.
In China, Zhang worked in the anesthesiology department at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University. In recent conversations with department head Sun Yingui, Zhang had been exploring ways to deliver critical medical resources to Tanzania and expand training programs, through both virtual and in-person initiatives..
“He had a warm heart and an unwavering passion for public service,” said Sun. “Even when our department was overwhelmed, he was always the first to volunteer for outreach clinics.”
In June 2020, Zhang used personal funds to purchase simulation equipment and set up a CPR teaching booth in a public square in Weifang, Shandong province, offering lifesaving instruction to passersby. He aimed to conduct more than 100 public training sessions each year. “My goal is simple,” he once said. “If just one out of every 100 people pauses to learn, that’s still one more life that might be saved.”
Zhang’s commitment inspired many healthcare workers. With support from his hospital and university, he launched a volunteer campaign called “Heartbeat Action” to raise public awareness about pre-hospital emergency care. By late 2023, the campaign had held more than 400 public events.
Now, Zhang’s colleagues in the “Heartbeat Action” volunteer team are determined to sustain his vision. Anesthesiologist Yao Fuwang has assumed the leadership. “Zhang is gone,” Yao said, “but the ‘heartbeat’ of this mission must go on.”
