Group photo of the volunteers and medical staff Photo: Courtesy of the Confucius Institute at Sapienza University of Rome

Chinese medical team members in Italy are sharing their valuable front-line experience in treating and preventing COVID-19. 

"They have made me firmly believe in the kindness of human beings," said an Italian student who is volunteering as a translator at an infectious disease hospital in Rome on Wednesday.

Martina Benigni, a postgraduate in Sapienza University of Rome and a volunteer at the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome, told the Global Times that Italian doctors have obtained a lot of important information from the Chinese medical team that arrived recently.

Useful guidance



"They have provided lots of useful advice. For example, they suggested using the plasma of newly recovered patients, which can be beneficial to the recovery of infected cases," she said.

Benigni thought the most effective measure that the Chinese medical team has suggested is home quarantine. 

"People must stay home in order to stop the spread of this virus, which is [spreading] too fast. I think that their experience and their cooperation with the Italian medical team will produce great results and, above all, save many lives," she said, adding that Italy is emulating China by building an emergency hospital.

Chen Chen, a Chinese teacher with the Confucius Institute at Sapienza University of Rome who is in charge of the conference and media translating work for the Chinese medical team, echoed Benigni's opinion.

She told the Global times that the Chinese medical team recommended that Italy use Wuhan's Fangcang Hospital as a reference, so they can centralize the treatment of confirmed cases, optimize the allocation of resources and effectively use their limited medical resources.

According to Chen, a total of 31 tons of medical supplies from China have been handed over to the Italian Red Cross. However, Italy still has an urgent shortage of ICU equipment, respirators, face masks, protective clothing and testing kits.

"The goods that China brought on March 12 have greatly helped Italian hospitals. However, if the number of infected people increases, it may not be enough," Benigni added.

Unforgettable experience

As a translator for the team, Benigni and other volunteers have needed to take on a heavy workload, including translating documents and helping doctors and nurses communicate with Chinese visitors who have been infected by the virus.

She revealed that the job has not been easy as she needs to remember a multitude of professional medical terms and interprete for people while wearing a face mask, protective clothing and latex gloves. 

"I have to wear them in the hospital. Sometimes, I cannot listen clearly and need to have a louder communication," she said, noting that she appreciates the hard work of the medical staff.

After working in the hospital for a month, she has come to feel that the work of a translator is to act as a "bridge" connecting Chinese patients and the Italian doctors and nurses. Meanwhile, they tried to give everybody hope and courage. The volunteer work has been a very impactful experience for Benigni. She said she will never forget the feeling of helping others.

One world, one family

Benigni's family and friends have been quite worried about the pandemic, but said they trust the Italian doctors and the Chinese team. 

"We are grateful, and we also admire them because they have never rested. They not only fought for their country, but now they are selflessly fighting for us and for the entire world. They are heroes and always will be," Benigni said.

Chen added that the great relationship between China and Italy can be seen in many small details. For example, she said that the Italian hotel's staff placed a kettle in each Chinese expert's room, which showed their respect for the Chinese, who have a habit of drinking hot water.

Benigni said she cried when she saw a video in which the Chinese national anthem was played in Rome. 

"I am so happy because people have finally started to thank China and the Chinese people who are helping us without asking for anything. This is what human beings should do. This is solidarity, friendship and brotherhood."

She said she could hardly believe it when she heard people make racist comments such as referring to the virus as the "Chinese virus," especially in 2020 and amid the pandemic. 

She said the word is "disrespectful toward Chinese victims, their families and all of humankind."

"I think that whoever wrote that should feel ashamed of himself… We are facing more than one virus right now: COVID-19 and the virus of racism and ignorance," she said.

Benigni said the aid China has given made her believe that humanity is good in nature. 

"We fought together, we stood together, and we trusted each other: That's how we can get through all this."