The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed its largest military medical team to date to Ethiopia, marking a significant step in its ongoing health diplomacy and military cooperation with the East African nation.
Comprising 14 seasoned military doctors and specialists, the 11th PLA medical aid team departed China this week to begin a year-long mission in support of Ethiopia’s military healthcare infrastructure. The delegation was selected primarily from the First Hospital Affiliated to the PLA Army Medical University and represents a wide spectrum of expertise, including clinical medicine, medical technology, logistics, and hospital management.
“This deployment reflects the deepening strategic medical partnership between China and Ethiopia,” said a Chinese defense spokesperson during the send-off ceremony. “It is also part of China’s broader commitment to international military cooperation and humanitarian support.”
Prior to deployment, the team underwent rigorous pre-mission training in emergency care, infectious disease control, and cultural preparedness to ensure operational effectiveness in the Ethiopian context.
During their stay in Addis Abeba, the Chinese experts will be embedded at the Ethiopian military’s general hospital, where they will provide advanced medical services, train local personnel, and assist in scaling up operations at the country’s newly established military referral hospital. Their work is also expected to contribute to the wider development of national health services.
This mission marks the 11th rotation of PLA military medics to Ethiopia since 2015. Over the past nine years, more than 100 Chinese medical professionals have served in the country, offering support under China’s “military operations other than war” (MOOTW) initiative — a framework that promotes international humanitarian efforts and non-combat military engagement.
Health and defense officials in Ethiopia have welcomed the arrival of the new team, calling it a “timely boost” to national military healthcare capacity, particularly amid growing regional security demands and health system reforms.