FOR 26-year-old Tanzanian Hassan Jumbe, sleepless nights were filled with pain and anxiety. Night after night, persistent headaches tormented the young construction worker — a dull, throbbing pain that robbed him of rest and concentration.

He tried everything from over-the-counter medication to home remedies, but nothing brought lasting relief. Then a friend told him about an acupuncture clinic at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, where Chinese doctors use fine silver needles to treat pain. Skeptical but desperate, Jumbe decided to give it a try.

Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, whose name means “One Coconut Tree” in Swahili, is the region’s main public healthcare facility and home to the Chinese medical team. “I thought it was a joke at first — needles for headaches? Really?” Jumbe told Xinhua in a recent interview.

“But after the first session, I felt some relief. By the third session, my headaches were nearly gone,” he recalled, rubbing his temple where the needles had been inserted. “It’s not just the treatment. The doctors are so attentive and patient. It feels like they truly care.”

Jumbe is one of more than 120,000 patients who have benefited from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Zanzibar, where Chinese medical teams have been serving since 1964.

Over the decades, more than 30 Chinese TCM doctors have taken part in medical rotations on the island, offering acupuncture, tuina (therapeutic massage), and herbal treatments.

Inside a modest clinic at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Dr. Li Dengke, a TCM physician from China’s Jiangsu Province, works with calm precision. His steady hands insert each needle with care, while his soothing voice comforts nervous patients. For Li, TCM is more than just technique — it’s about understanding the human body and fostering a silent dialogue between healer and patient.

“I’ve seen patients come in with pain and leave with relief, but it’s more than that,” Li said. “Every needle carries care. Every touch is a message.” Nurse Fatma Ally Abdallah, 30, has been closely observing and learning. Since 2021, she has trained under Chinese doctors, gradually mastering TCM techniques. What began as curiosity has grown into confidence and expertise.

“At first, it all seemed so complex. But the Chinese doctors were patient. They taught me acupuncture, explained the meridian system, and showed me how to identify treatment points,” she said, adjusting needles for a patient with lower back pain. “Now I can perform acupuncture independently.”

Chen Wei, head of the 34th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, says their mission is twofold: to heal and to train. “We focus on two areas,” he explained. “First, we conduct structured training sessions for local doctors and nurses, covering both theory and practice. Second, we encourage them to apply these techniques in real cases to build their skills and confidence.”

Today, several local healthcare workers can independently perform basic TCM procedures. They use tuina, apply cupping therapy, and explain TCM principles to curious patients.

Looking out from the clinic’s rain-speckled window, Chen reflected on the team’s journey. “It’s not just about the needles,” he said softly. “It’s about the hearts they touch.”