Huiyu Island in east China's Fujian Province is rather small and has a population of over a thousand residents, and seeing a doctor has always been a major problem for the island residents.
In 2020, Xiao Jinzhang returned from the mainland to take up the relay baton from his father to serve as the island's only doctor.
"He's the only doctor on the entire island. Things are much easier now he's here," said a villager
"I'm Xiao Jinzhang from the Huiyu Village Clinic. I've been a doctor for 28 years. In 2020, I returned here to the village," said Xiao Jinzhang.
"He and his father are both dedicated doctors," said a villager.
"It's hard to get around on the island after dark. It's a relief for the elderly, having him here," said another villager.
Some 1,300 people live on this small island off China’s southeast coast.
For decades, they relied on one man for their medical care — Xiao Jinzhang’s father Xiao Shunzhen.
Four years ago, the old man began contemplating retirement.
"I asked around, but no one was willing to come. So I decided to ask my son. He didn't want to come at first, but I kept urging him, 'your home is always your home.' You should come and serve the islanders," said Xiao Shunzhen, Xiao Jinzhang's father.
"It's been four years. The first two years were hard. I didn't want to stay. In other places the population was more mobile. There were more patients and the income was higher too," said Xiao Jinzhang.
But realizing how much the islanders needed him, he decided to stay.
China has over 4 million local community medics, including 1.1 million rural doctors. Medical professionals like Xiao Jinzhang play a vital role in keeping communities fit and healthy.
"Whenever I go out, there are old people, children and young people greeting me. My aim is to do my best for the villagers. Do my best," said Xiao Jinzhang.
Dedicated doctor takes up relay baton from father to cure diseases for island residents
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months by an overwhelming margin.
The resolution was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 14 against and 43 abstentions, during the UNGA's 10th emergency special session considering Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The resolution demanding that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice, was introduced by the State of Palestine on Tuesday and was co-sponsored by more than two dozen nations.
By the newly adopted resolution, the UNGA "demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution."
The UNGA also demands that Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law, including as stipulated by the International Court of Justice.
In remarks before the vote, Mohamed Issa Abushahab, the permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza must be addressed through unimpeded access to those in need, a ceasefire deal and the full implementation of all related Security Council resolutions.
A credible peace process must be relaunched to work towards a two-State solution to diffuse this conflict, he said, expressing support for the State of Palestine's full statehood and UN membership. "The time has come to end the suffering," he noted.
Introducing the draft resolution on Tuesday, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said the Palestinian people have been steadfast in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, just like all other citizens worldwide who seek self-determination.
"The Palestinians want to live, not survive -- they want to be safe in their homes, they want their children to go to school without fear. They want to be free in reality as they are in spirit," said Mansour.
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
