The neighbourhood of China Medical Team's residence in Zanzibar. [Maverick Chen / China.org.cn]

In addition, the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar is conducting a project to help cleft lip and palate children. Due to weak pre-maternity care, the death rate for such cases is as high as one in 800 in the region. These patients are suffering not only physically, but also psychologically, said Lu. He said if the project is successful, many kids could get treatment before they reach puberty, and will grow up with more confidence.

Moreover, Lu and his team members plan to cooperate with the local government on maternity care education to help prevent cleft lip and palate cases, like asking pregnant women to take folic acid before or during the first three months of pregnancy.

When asked if they felt worse off than their colleagues at home, Lu and his members answered with no hesitation, "We are respected here, which also is a kind of gain."