Healing at home: How medical aid teams strengthen Xizang's healthcare

Tashi found himself once again at the Shannan City People's Hospital in the Xizang Autonomous Region. This marked his fourth visit, a testament to his battle against a malignant liver tumor diagnosed five years ago. The director of the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Department, Dr Wu Wei, also an aid doctor from east China's Anhui Province, examined Tashi's latest medical reports with a glimmer of hope. "This is a crucial surgical opportunity," he said.

Following the tumor diagnosis half a decade ago, Tashi traveled extensively between Xizang and many other provinces for treatment, undergoing multiple surgeries. However, two years ago, a new possibility emerged at the Shannan City People's Hospital. The medical team there assured Tashi that his condition could be treated locally, sparking within Tashi a renewed sense of hope.

In the operating room, Dr Wu and local doctor Jampa Tenzin performed the complex surgery. After over six hours, Tashi's surgery was successful, and he is now recovering.

"Receiving treatment close to home reduced travel and living expenses and made it easier for my family to care for me," Tashi said.

Tashi's successful treatment is part of a broader story of medical advancement at the Shannan City People's Hospital. "Our treatment capabilities have continually improved, benefiting more people locally," said Dr Jampa Tenzin.

Dr Wu acknowledged the vital support from Anhui's medical aid team, noting, "For nine consecutive years, we have had the support of nine experienced associate chief physicians."

"The development of the department cannot be separated from the long-term support of the Anhui medical aid team for Xizang. We have sent nine experienced deputy chief physicians to support the hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery departments of the Shannan People's Hospital for nine consecutive years," Dr Wu Wei said.

Tashi's experience is not a unique one. In recent years, the hospital's treatment capacity in Xizang has been continuously improved, and increasing numbers of residents enjoy better medical treatment at their doorstep.

Beyond the efforts in Shannan, over 4,300 healthcare professionals from assisted hospitals have received education and training in regions with advanced medical resources. This initiative has fostered an exchange of talent and expertise, enhancing medical capabilities within the region.

A notable example of this collaboration is Peking Union Medical College Hospital's partnership with the Xizang Autonomous Region People's Hospital. The Beijing hospital has deployed two groups of 24 medical professionals to the one in Xizang. Meanwhile, the latter has reciprocated by sending two cohorts of 24 medical personnel for training at the former.

Since 2015, China's national program, supported by the National Health Commission, has dispatched teams of medical and education personnel to bolster healthcare in the Xizang Autonomous Region and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This initiative reflects a commitment to improving medical infrastructure and expertise in these regions, ensuring that more people can access the care they need.

"When I first arrived in Lhasa, the medical equipment was relatively backward, and there were insufficient personnel. Over the years, we have witnessed significant improvements," Dr Gu Hong reflected. She has traveled to Xizang more than 10 times to organize screenings of tens of thousands of children and save over 200 Xizang patients with congenital heart disease, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of the "group" medical aid.

After the "group" medical aid to Xizang was launched, the level of hardware and software in various departments of the hospital has improved, especially with the aid of local doctors in the local area, which can play a great overall driving role. Coupled with a steady stream of in-depth training, Xizang's own medical team can be cultivated, she said.

In 2006, a group of patients from Xizang arrived at the pediatric cardiology department of Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Among them was a father who brought his daughter to Dr Gu's office. "Do you remember her?" he asked. Gu took a moment to recall, and then the father explained, "When you performed surgery in Lhasa, we brought her to you. She was very sick, and you saved her life." Now, she was well enough to come to Beijing for further treatment.

Six months earlier, a medical team from Beijing had been screening for congenital heart disease at the People's Hospital of the Xizang Autonomous Region. The examination room was crowded with patients when a flat cart was wheeled in, carrying a little girl who was severely swollen and gravely ill. Gu quickly screened the girl and diagnosed her with congenital heart disease, heart failure and pneumonia. She immediately provided the necessary medication.

Before the medical team left Lhasa, Gu learned that the girl's situation had improved and felt relieved.

Half a year later, the girl, named Ngodrup Wangmo, was able to travel to Beijing for treatment. However, Gu discovered that, in addition to her congenital heart disease, she was also suffering from a pituitary tumor. Despite the complexities, Gu successfully performed surgery, giving the young girl a new lease of life.