Hundreds gathered on Friday at Tanzania’s Muhimbili National Hospital to pay their final respects to Dr. Zhang Junqiao, a Chinese physician who died while attempting to rescue a drowning woman off the coast of Dar es Salaam.
Dr. Zhang, who served as the head of the 27th Chinese medical team stationed in Tanzania, lost his life on June 15 while assisting a woman in distress in the ocean. According to eyewitness accounts, he managed to help the woman into a life jacket before he was overwhelmed by the current and disappeared beneath the water.
His body was later recovered, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
At a farewell ceremony held on June 20, over 300 people — including hospital staff, government officials, diplomats, and members of the public — attended in solemn silence. Zhang’s wife and brother traveled to Tanzania to receive the body and participate in the farewell event. Emotions ran high as mourners praised his courage and commitment to humanitarian service.
Dr. Zhang had been working in Tanzania since 2024 as part of a long-running medical exchange program. Known among his peers for his professionalism and generosity, he contributed to surgical services and medical training at Muhimbili National Hospital. He also participated in free medical outreach programs on Pemba Island and helped train local medical students in advanced techniques like ultrasound-guided anesthesia and CPR.
“He died while doing what he always did — putting others first,” said one of his colleagues at the hospital. “His actions speak louder than any title or tribute.”
The tragedy has prompted discussions about the risks humanitarian workers and medical professionals often face in their service abroad. While the Chinese medical team program has operated in Tanzania for decades, Dr. Zhang’s death highlights the personal sacrifices sometimes made by those in international cooperation roles.
Local residents and staff described him as warm, approachable, and deeply invested in his work and community. A local nurse, speaking at the ceremony, remarked, “He came from far away to help us — and he gave his life doing just that.”
Officials from both Tanzanian and Chinese sides expressed condolences and acknowledged his contribution to the bilateral medical partnership. However, the event remained focused on honoring the man himself — his work, his bravery, and his legacy.
Dr. Zhang Junqiao leaves behind a family, colleagues, and patients who remember him not just as a doctor, but as a person who truly lived by the values of compassion and service.