
. Xinhua News Agency | 18. 03. 2026
A 32-year-old woman in Benin suffering from a severe abdominal infection following a cesarean section was saved by the 28th Chinese medical mission deployed to the West African nation. The diagnosis was established through a telemedicine consultation with a specialist in China, Xinhua learned Tuesday in Lokossa, a city in the southwest of the country.
The patient had been admitted as an emergency case to the Mono-Couffo Departmental Hospital in Lokossa nine days after undergoing a cesarean section at the Aplahoué zonal hospital. She presented with persistent fever, severe abdominal pain, and a rapidly deteriorating condition.
Hang Yuexia, a gynecologist, and Zhang Mingliang, a surgeon with the Chinese medical mission, suspected a severe abdominal infection with significant fluid buildup, posing a life-threatening risk. However, limited local resources hindered a precise diagnosis.
The Chinese medical team then activated a telemedicine mechanism, establishing a video conference link with a specialist in China. Through the real-time exchange of images and an ultrasound scan, they confirmed over a liter of abdominal fluid, necessitating urgent surgical intervention.
The surgery revealed a complex infection with pus, multiple adhesions, and several abscesses. Approximately 1,200 milliliters of purulent fluid were drained. The team thoroughly cleaned the area, sutured the incision, and inserted drainage tubes.
Currently in intensive care, the patient is in stable condition. This successful outcome highlights the effectiveness of Sino-Beninese medical cooperation, particularly the role of telemedicine in managing emergency cases, said Ma Zhongyun, head of the 28th Chinese medical mission to Benin.
Since its arrival in Benin, the 28th Chinese medical mission in Lokossa has provided over 6,600 consultations, performed more than 700 surgical procedures, and trained more than 700 local healthcare professionals, he added.
Lokossa, Benin – A woman in Benin is recovering after a life-threatening post-cesarean infection was successfully treated with the aid of a telemedicine consultation with doctors in China. The case underscores the growing importance of international collaboration and remote diagnostic tools in delivering critical healthcare in resource-limited settings.
The 32-year-old patient was admitted to the Mono-Couffo Departmental Hospital in Lokossa on March 9, 2026, nine days after undergoing a cesarean section at a hospital in Aplahoué. She was experiencing persistent fever and severe abdominal pain, and her condition was rapidly worsening, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency.
Doctors with the 28th Chinese medical mission stationed in Lokossa, including gynecologist Hang Yuexia and surgeon Zhang Mingliang, quickly recognized the potential for a serious abdominal infection with significant fluid accumulation. However, limited diagnostic capabilities at the local hospital made it difficult to confirm the diagnosis.
To overcome this challenge, the medical team utilized telemedicine, establishing a video conference link with a specialist in China. An ultrasound scan, shared in real-time, revealed over one liter of fluid in the patient’s abdomen, confirming the necessitate for immediate surgery.
During the operation, surgeons discovered a complex infection involving pus, multiple adhesions, and several abscesses. Approximately 1,200 milliliters of purulent fluid were drained, and the surgical team thoroughly cleaned and sutured the incision, also placing drainage tubes.
The patient is now in stable condition in intensive care. Ma Zhongyun, head of the 28th Chinese medical mission to Benin, highlighted the success as a demonstration of the effectiveness of Sino-Beninese medical cooperation and the value of telemedicine in emergency situations.
Since arriving in Benin, the 28th Chinese medical mission has provided medical care to over 6,600 patients, performed more than 700 surgeries, and trained over 700 local healthcare professionals. This ongoing collaboration reflects a long-term commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving access to care in Benin, which has received medical missions from China since 1978.
