In brief
A 38‑year‑old mother of three from Zanzibar’s urban district returned to a pain‑free life after Chinese doctors performed a laparoscopic ureter reconstruction. The operation, carried out by the 36th Chinese medical team, also trained local surgeons and highlighted growing China‑Tanzania health ties. Leila Kanyinyi praised the care and expressed optimism for her future and that of her children.
A 38‑year‑old mother of three from Zanzibar’s Urban District on Unguja Island, Leila Salum Kanyinyi, endured a year of lower‑back and abdominal pain that left her unable to care for her children until Chinese doctors performed a complex laparoscopic ureter reconstruction.
For months the pain made everyday tasks impossible. According to her, "my right lower back ached for a whole year. When the pain became severe, I didn’t even have the strength to take care of my children." She worked as a food vendor in Meli Nne and struggled to keep her family fed.
After seeking medical attention, Kanyinyi was referred to Lumumba Hospital, part of Zanzibar’s Mnazi Mmoja Hospital. Doctors there initially diagnosed a narrowing of the right ureter, although further examination revealed a long, severe constriction in the lower ureter that made the case more complicated.
Facing the challenge, the local medical team requested assistance from the 36th Chinese medical team stationed in Zanzibar. Wang Wei, the team’s urological specialist, reviewed the case and developed a surgical plan that involved a laparoscopic Boari flap ureteroneocystostomy—a minimally invasive procedure that uses tissue from the bladder to reconstruct the damaged ureter.
The operation used laparoscopic equipment donated by China, offering an alternative to open surgery that would have required a longer recovery. Wang also used the opportunity to train local surgeons, explaining surgical anatomy, procedural techniques and measures to prevent and manage complications.
After the procedure, Kanyinyi told Xinhua, “I feel like I have been given a new life.” She expressed deep gratitude toward the Chinese doctors, noting that she received first‑class medical care that lifted her from months of suffering.
Doctor Gideon Safiel Mwasakyalo of Lumumba Hospital commented that the operation exposed the local medical team to advanced surgical techniques and would help elevate the quality of care on the island.
The surgery underscores the growing health cooperation between China and Tanzania, showcasing how Chinese medical teams can provide specialised procedures and build local capacity at the same time. For Kanyinyi, the successful operation means a renewed ability to care for her children and pursue a better future for her family.