Pairing-aid medical programs are helping Xizang Autonomous Region to enhance local professional medics as doctors from leading hospitals of major Chinese cities have taught local medical students to master clinical treatments and the latest medical technologies.
Liu Kuiliang is the sixth digestion expert from the Beijing Friendship Hospital to offer his services to Lhasa People's hospital since the aiding Xizang program started. He has been working there for almost a year.
"Beijing Friendship Hospital continues to assist the gastroenterology department of Lhasa People's Hospital. We are sending experts every year. I think it also improves my professional abilities," said Liu.
Lhasa People's Hospital is recognized as a top-level hospital in China in 2017. Currently, the hospital is capable of curing more than 300 severe diseases, and since 2021 more than 100 medical new tech and projects have been initiated, many of which are pioneering in Xizang.
Liu said the spectrum of diseases on the plateau is different compared with areas at lower altitude, as the types of disease and their severity are influenced by climate and lifestyle habits.
"Because of the high altitude and cold climate, the rate of digestive tract tumors, gallstones and liver diseases is relatively high. Disease screening awareness is also lacking in pastoral areas so we regularly go to high-altitude areas to offer free diagnoses," said Liu.
In addition to introducing disease screenings, Beijing doctors also brought emerging technologies to Lhasa. Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment became a hallmark of the hospital's services.
"Endoscopic surgery used to be done by Beijing doctors themselves, but it's all now carried out by local doctors," said Liu.
Benefiting from the mentorship system between doctors from Beijing and Xizang, Li Yan, one of Liu's local students, will get a PhD this September.
"Doctor Liu instructed us in clinical research and writing papers, which laid a strong foundation for me to apply for a doctorate. After graduation, I plan to return to Xizang to serve the local people with better professional abilities," said Li.
Starting in 2015, China launched a national program that sends medical personnel from relatively developed eastern regions to Xizang and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to improve their medical service levels.
Since then, more than 3,100 high-caliber medical personnel have been dispatched to hospitals in both regions, according to the National Health Commission.
Medical aid program helps nurture local medical talents in Xizang
