DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania on Sunday commended the People's Republic of China for offering medical scholarships to Tanzanian students and arranging Tanzanian medical staff for short-term training.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed, and for that reason, China has truly proven to be our friend indeed through their support in different sectors in this country," Minister for Education, Science and Technology Joyce Ndalichako said at a special occasion to bid farewell to the students and medical staff in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

Ndalichako said the scholarships are an example of Chinese efforts to support Tanzania's endeavor in enhancing education and development of the east African nation's human resources.

"We are glad and appreciate that most of these trainees will be trained in the areas where the nation is facing critical shortage of staff, including bone marrow transplant, liver transplant, transfusion medicine and biomedical engineering," Ndalichako said.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Wang Ke said medical and health cooperation between China and Tanzania began in 1964 and 1968 when the Chinese government started to send medical teams to Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland.

"So far, 22 million people have received treatment from the Chinese medical teams," said Wang, adding that a total of 32 Chinese medical team members are currently working at the Muhimbili National Hospital, the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute and in hospitals in Zanzibar and Pemba.

In November last year, Chinese navy hospital ship "Peace Ark" visited Tanzania and provided 6,441 Tanzanians with free medical treatment.