The year of 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the dispatch of Chinese medical teams to foreign countries. It also marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the last decade, the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University has been part of the efforts to provide medical aid to overseas countries.
As a member of the medical teams, Dr. Chen Weirong, chief physician and doctoral supervisor at ZOC, has been engaging in efforts to bring light to patients in BRI partner countries. Having visited 10 countries 18 times, including countries in Africa, the Pacific Island, and the Indian Ocean Region, Dr. Chen has offered free medical service to nearly 4,000 patients and performed 436 cataract phacoemulsification surgeries.
From Senegal to the Maldives and many Pacific Island countries, a total of 800 patients have regained their sight with the help of Dr. Chen. She also assisted in establishing the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center, the first modern and standardized ophthalmology center supported by China.
"The people of the Maldives are very happy with the services provided by the doctors, and they are looking forward to their return and further treatment," said Dr. Ismail from the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center.
In September, Dr. Ismail participated in a 3-month training program at ZOC. She came to Guangzhou with her baby and mother, aiming to enhance her career and provide better service to her patients. Her goal is to fully learn phacoemulsification surgery so that she can independently manage complications and perform the procedure.
Upon arriving in the city, Dr. Ismail found it to be nice, developed, and with pleasant weather. "The doctors, nurses, and even the people outside the hospital are nice. We have never met them before, but they are very warm and welcoming," she said.
Guangdong has sent over 100 ophthalmologists to provide assistance overseas , covering more than 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands, helping numerous patients regain their sight.
According to Guangdong's health authority, the province will continue to offer more medical aid, improve the quality and level of medical aid services, and promote the international sharing of medical resources under the Belt and Road Initiative in the future.
Reporters | Ou Xiaoming, Lydia Liu, Hannah Zhou
Cameramen | Jimmy Guan, Ou Xiaoming
Script | Hannah Zhou
Video editor | Jimmy Guan
Editors | Olivia Yang, Steven Yuen, Nan Hu, Jasmine Yin, James
With help from Wingheng Deng.
Part of the video footage was contributed by the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University.
