ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Inside an operating theater at Tanzania's Zanzibar Lumumba Regional Referral Hospital, Mwadini Maalim Simai, head of the anesthesiology department, leaned forward, eyes fixed on an ultrasound monitor, as he carefully guided a needle toward a patient's nerve plexus.
For the first time, he was performing the procedure on his own.
Beads of sweat formed on Simai's forehead, but Luan Hengfei, an anesthesiologist from the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar, offered constant reassurance.
"I'm right here. Don't worry. Take your time," Luan told Simai calmly.
With guidance and renewed confidence, Simai adjusted the probe and needle. On the monitor, the needle tip appeared clearly "in-plane," advancing with precision toward the targeted nerve.
As the anesthetic spread smoothly around the nerve, the tension in the room eased. Simai exhaled deeply, relief giving way to excitement.
He completed the region's first ultrasound-guided brachial plexus nerve block performed by a local doctor, assisting orthopedic surgeons in treating a patient with a distal radius fracture. This marked a notable breakthrough in the application of advanced regional anesthesia techniques in the area.
For years, anesthesiologists in Zanzibar have faced significant constraints.
Limited access to ultrasound equipment and specialized training forced many upper-limb surgeries to rely heavily on general anesthesia. Meanwhile, shortages of analgesic drugs often compromised post-operative pain management, leaving patients to endure unnecessary suffering.
General anesthesia also carried risks, such as respiratory depression and vomiting, complications that could be especially dangerous in settings with limited monitoring capacity.
Upon arriving in Zanzibar in September 2025, Luan quickly recognized these challenges and identified ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia as a practical solution.
"Ultrasound guidance allows us to clearly visualize nerves and blood vessels, improving accuracy and safety. More importantly, it reduces reliance on general anesthesia and helps address the problem of limited medical supplies," Luan said.
Determined to ensure lasting impact, Luan introduced a structured training program that combined theoretical instruction with hands-on practice.
He covered everything from nerve anatomy to ultrasound operation and complication management. In addition, by using a "demonstration first, guided practice second" approach, he helped local doctors interpret ultrasound images as clear anatomical maps, building both confidence and competence.
"With proper technique, regional anesthesia is the best way to avoid many complications associated with general anesthesia," Simai explained.
Following the successful procedure, the patient, who had suffered severe pain from the fracture, remained calm and stable during surgery, highlighting the effectiveness of the new technique.
"Ultrasound guidance is like installing navigation for our procedures, safe and efficient," said Simai. "It has solved a major problem that has troubled us for a long time."
He noted that wider adoption of regional anesthesia will also reduce the use of analgesic drugs required for general anesthesia.
Looking ahead, Simai emphasized the importance of continued learning and knowledge-sharing. "We will keep practicing and training other anesthetists to build more experience and expertise," he said.
Luan echoed this vision, saying the next step is to expand ultrasound-guided nerve block techniques to lower-limb and abdominal surgeries, further improving surgical care across Zanzibar.
Through sustained training and cooperation, the Chinese medical team aims to leave behind not just skills, but a self-sustaining system of care, according to Bao Zengtao, team leader of the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar. ■
