On July 31, the 6th "Angel of Life" African Midwife Assistant Training Program, hosted by Wenzhou Medical University, successfully concluded at the university's Chashan Campus. Dedicated to helping African countries reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates, this program advances the building of a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, strengthens medical assistance and exchanges with Africa, and actively responds to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Since its launch in 2018, the "Angel of Life" Program has been successfully held six times, attracting over 330 participants from 27 African countries. This year, 32 trainees from 14 countries including Tanzania, Nigeria, Liberia and Zimbabwe joined the program. Relying on its profound accumulation and rich practical experience in midwifery education, Wenzhou Medical University once again provided valuable learning opportunities for African trainees.
The School of Nursing designed a rigorous and comprehensive training curriculum covering five core modules: fundamentals of obstetric anatomy and physiology, antenatal assisting techniques, intrapartum assisting techniques, postpartum assisting techniques, and management of common obstetric emergencies. Adopting an integrated teaching model combining theory with practice, the training included classroom teaching, laboratory practice, clinical observation and social practice, helping trainees master midwifery knowledge and skills.
The First Affiliated Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou People's Hospital and Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine provided clinical faculty and venue support for the program.
The program brought together an outstanding faculty team proficient in bilingual teaching and rich in clinical midwifery experience. With the coordination and overall planning of multiple departments, the program progressed steadily and smoothly. Trainees showed great interest and enthusiasm throughout the courses, and they generally reflected that the knowledge and skills acquired would exert a positive and far-reaching impact on their future career development and practical work.
During the training, in addition to systematic professional courses, a series of colorful cultural experience activities were carefully arranged. Trainees visited the Wenzhou Medical University History Museum, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and wandered around landmark spots like Wuma Street. Amid the integration of historical culture and modern landmarks, they intuitively felt the unique charm of the collision and integration between traditional Chinese culture and modern development.
Wenzhou Medical University provided elegant international student apartments for African trainees and offered thoughtful living support. During their stay, university teachers and volunteers provided full assistance, helping trainees deepen professional knowledge and adapt to the local rhythm of life. This thoughtful arrangement warmed the trainees' campus life and left them profound and beautiful memories. The trainees spoke highly of the university's considerate arrangements, agreeing that this experience at Wenzhou Medical University had become an invaluable asset in their lives.
On the afternoon of July 31, the closing ceremony of the 6th "Angel of Life" African Midwife Assistant Training Program was held in the conference room of Tongxin Building. Attending the ceremony were Professor Cai Fuman, Dean of the School of Nursing; Wang Min, Secretary of the Party Committee; Huang Xiaoqiong, Vice Dean; Yu Ru, Deputy Director of Nursing Department of the First Affiliated Hospital; Zhuge Linmin, Deputy Director of Nursing Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital; Wang Haihong, Director of Nursing Department of Wenzhou People's Hospital, as well as faculty representatives and all African trainees. The ceremony was hosted by Vice Dean Huang Xiaoqiong.
The ceremony kicked off with a warm video reviewing the trainees' training journey, which vividly captured every moment of their life and study over the past two weeks—laughter, sweat and persistent efforts all converged at this moment. The atmosphere was warm and lively; trainees could hardly contain their excitement and shared their feelings with peers around them.
In his speech, Professor Cai Fuman, Dean of the School of Nursing, noted that the trainees had traveled thousands of miles to Wenzhou with reverence for life and persistent faith in safeguarding maternal and infant health, while the university faculty team had always provided comprehensive guidance and support with professional dedication and commitment. He expressed sincere delight that the African trainees had acquired advanced midwifery skills and cultivated professional literacy, hoping they would bring what they had learned back to their home countries and contribute to Africa's maternal and infant health cause with their hands and wisdom. He stated that Wenzhou Medical University has carried out this training program annually and will continue its efforts in the future to help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in African countries and contribute to building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, extending a warm welcome to more African trainees. He firmly believed that these "Angels of Life" would be like sparks, igniting the light of life hope across the African continent.
Faculty representative Teacher Zhu Xiaoling addressed the ceremony, emphasizing that this training was not only about professional skills transfer, but also a cross-border spiritual exchange. Every course arrangement and hospital experience embodied profound expectations and care for trainees' growth, hoping they would root themselves in their local communities with this knowledge and integrate it into their own culture. She encouraged trainees to pass on their skills to more people in the future, uphold their original aspiration and dreams when tired, and remember that midwifery is not only about welcoming new lives but also safeguarding mothers' hope, so as to inject strength into Africa's maternal and infant health cause with what they have learned.
Trainee representative Konan Luc Abokan Junior delivered a speech, saying that the training organized by Wenzhou Medical University was rich and practical, covering professional skills such as female hormone regulation, high-risk delivery simulation and neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and he also witnessed the charm of traditional Chinese medicine at Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. He stated that the completion certificates carried a sacred mission to mothers of all countries; they would apply the learned techniques to help reduce maternal and infant mortality, contribute to life protection, and practice medical exchanges and cooperation under the spirit of the Belt and Road Initiative with concrete actions.
Wang Min, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Nursing, awarded completion certificates to each trainee, took photos with them and congratulated them on successfully finishing the training.
As dusk fell, the trainees embarked on their journey home with fruitful gains, profound insights, boundless expectations for the future and deep affection for this experience. This "Angel of Life" Training Program not only helped them master solid professional skills, but also built a solid bridge of friendship between China and Africa. May this precious experience become an indelible memory in their hearts, inspiring them to continue striving in Africa's maternal and infant health cause, shine brightly and contribute more wisdom and strength. Wenzhou Medical University will continue to walk side by side with African partners to jointly depict a new picture of China-Africa medical cooperation.
