Xiao Jinzhang, an experienced doctor, has returned to his hometown to operate the remote island village's only clinic, taking up the same responsibility that had been his father's legacy.
Huiyu Island in east China's Fujian Province has a population of just over a thousand residents. For many years, the community relied on Xiao's father as their only source of medical attention.
In 2020, Xiao, who has practiced medicine for 28 years, returned to his hometown to follow in his father's footsteps.
"There would be no doctor on the island if (he) didn't come. Things are much easier now as he's here," said a villager.
"He and his father are both village doctors who care a lot about us," said another villager.
His arrival reassured locals who find it difficult to access medical services they need outside the island.
"It's hard to get around on the island after dark. It's a relief for the elderly, having him here," said another islander.
For decades, some 1,300 people on this island relied on one man for their medical care — Xiao Jinzhang's father, Xiao Shunzhen.
But 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 the elder Xiao.
The son said it was a tough choice to make.
"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 four million medics at primary-level healthcare institutions, including 1.1 million rural doctors. Medical professionals like Xiao 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] make the villagers satisfied," said the younger Xiao.
Son follows father's footsteps to become island village's only doctor
Son follows father's footsteps to become island village's only doctor
