Afriyie Emmanuel Kwasi, Ankomah Samuel Egyakwa, Li Duqiao, Guo Yuqing, Liang Huijuan, Wu Dadong, Xu Dong
Acacia Lab for Implementation Science, School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana.
Glob Health Res Policy. 2025 Jun 16;10(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s41256-025-00420-2.
Sub-Saharan Africa has faced profound healthcare challenges, including severe shortages of professionals and infrastructural deficits. Despite significant international aid, the full impact of Chinese Medical Teams (CMTs) in addressing these issues had remained underexplored. This scoping review aimed to synthesise existing literature on the role of CMTs in Africa, identifying key drivers, barriers, and gaps in research that could enhance the effectiveness of these programmes.
A comprehensive search was conducted across major English and Chinese databases up to February 2023, following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and adhering to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Studies providing qualitative or quantitative insights into the modality, effectiveness, and challenges of CMTs were included. Thematic analysis, supported by NVivo 11 software, was used to synthesise the findings.
The review included 20 English articles and 27 Chinese articles from 2009 to 2022, highlighting CMTs' significant role in improving healthcare through direct medical assistance, training of local healthcare workers, and infrastructure development. Key drivers of CMT initiatives included diplomatic goals, economic cooperation, and humanitarian efforts. Conversely, operational challenges such as cultural differences, language barriers, and infrastructural inadequacies were prominent.
CMTs have effectively addressed healthcare disparities in Africa through a distinctive, government-led, and non-conditional programme. Their flexible, long-term engagement has strengthened healthcare systems across underserved regions, offering a model for sustainable global health aid. However, challenges such as cultural barriers and logistical constraints suggest a need for improved cultural competency and flexible staffing. Further empirical research, particularly involving African researchers, is essential to fully understand CMTs' long-term impact and refine strategies for future international health initiatives that align with local needs.
撒哈拉以南非洲面临着严峻的医疗挑战，包括专业人员严重短缺和基础设施不足。尽管有大量国际援助，但中国医疗队（CMTs）在解决这些问题方面的全面影响仍未得到充分探索。本范围综述旨在综合现有关于CMTs在非洲作用的文献，确定可提高这些项目有效性的关键驱动因素、障碍和研究空白。
按照阿克西和奥马利框架并遵循PRISMA-ScR清单，截至2023年2月在主要英文和中文数据库中进行了全面检索。纳入了对CMTs的模式、有效性和挑战提供定性或定量见解的研究。使用NVivo 11软件支持的主题分析来综合研究结果。
该综述纳入了2009年至2022年的20篇英文文章和27篇中文文章，突出了CMTs在通过直接医疗援助、培训当地医护人员和基础设施发展改善医疗保健方面的重要作用。CMTs举措的关键驱动因素包括外交目标、经济合作和人道主义努力。相反，文化差异、语言障碍和基础设施不足等运营挑战较为突出。
CMTs通过一项独特的、政府主导的、无条件的项目有效解决了非洲的医疗保健差距。它们灵活的长期参与加强了服务不足地区的医疗保健系统，为可持续的全球卫生援助提供了一个模式。然而，文化障碍和后勤限制等挑战表明需要提高文化能力和灵活配置人员。进一步的实证研究，特别是涉及非洲研究人员的研究，对于充分理解CMTs的长期影响和完善符合当地需求的未来国际卫生举措战略至关重要。
