Zhejiang University’s transformative partnership: Improving healthcare and promoting economic prosperity in Jingdong County (Part 1)
Zhejiang University remains steadfast in its commitment to the guiding principles of seeking truth, pursuing innovation, and embracing an educational philosophy centered on striving for development and brilliance through dedicated service and contributions. The university relentlessly delves into the enigma of science, the depths of the humanities, and the intricacies of society. It adeptly translates profound knowledge into innovative practices, thereby contributing to the prosperity of the nation, the well-being of the people, and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
In the past years, Zhejiang University has been dedicated to making a positive impact beyond its campus boundaries. For example, it has consistently extended its generous support to Jingdong County in Yunnan Province. Notable examples include the partnership between the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County, and the contribution of the edible fungi team in transforming mushrooms into a source of economic prosperity for the region.
This is Part 1 of a two-part stories behind these partnerships.
Transform People’s Hospital of Jindong County into top 100 hospital in China
Tears welling up in her eyes, Mrs. LIU recalled her remarkable journey back from the brink of death, owing her survival to the timely intervention she received at the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County. Dr. WEI Qishou, a highly skilled cardiologist at the hospital, served as her attending physician, guiding her through a critical phase with expertise and compassion.
After completing his studies at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Dr. WEI collaborated with multiple specialties, including emergency medicine, hematology, and intensive care. He has successfully saved the lives of several patients grappling with acute myocardial infarction.
In the past, patients with heart attacks complicated by heart failure faced the challenges of being transferred to a higher-level hospital for interventional treatment after receiving thrombolytic therapy locally. However, this process, involving a nearly 4-hour ride, incurred a mortality rate exceeding 20% during thrombectomy or transportation. In April 2023, when the DSA equipment donated by the Second Affiliated Hospital was officially put into use. This state-of-the-art technology marked a turning point, enabling patients to receive a definitive diagnosis and timely treatment at the county-level hospital locally. As a result, the hospital achieved an impressive 100% treatment rate.
Starting from 2013, the Second Affiliated Hospital has joined hands with the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County, located 2600 kilometers away. Adhering to the principles of adapting to local conditions and addressing community needs, it has played a pivotal role in propelling the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County to achieve the highest score in the National Medical Institution Assessment in Yunnan Province. As a result, it earned the distinction of being the top-ranking second-level public comprehensive hospital in the province and being the only hospital to secure a position in the national top 100 list. This collaboration has essentially led to the achievement of the goal of treating “minor complaints within the village, common ailments within the township, and major treated within the county.
How to realize the localization of medical and health resources, thus transferring cutting-edge medical technology to the grassroots level, and attracting skilled doctors to serve in local healthcare settings?
Over the past decade, the Second Affiliated Hospital has provided comprehensive assistance across various fields such as hospital management, technical support, hardware assistance, and talent cultivation. In a commitment to enhancing healthcare services, the hospital has deployed proficient medical specialists spanning over ten disciplines, including orthopedics, ophthalmology, and neurology, who have actively engaged in providing invaluable on-site assistance. For knowledge exchange, it has generously welcomed medical and managerial personnel from the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County for free training sessions. It has also championed online education and training initiatives to ensure the continual professional growth of healthcare practitioners. To advance healthcare infrastructure, it has invested a substantial sum of 6.41 million yuan for the informatization of the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County.
Ten years ago, “digital healthcare” was something inconceivable for Jingdong, a small county nestled between Wuliang Mountains and Ailao Mountains. With the assistance of the Second Affiliated Hospital, local patients gained access to early diagnosis and treatment right at their doorstep, marking a remarkable evolution from the establishment of a remote consultation center to the pioneering utilization of “cloud consultation rooms” in Yunnan Province. The advent of “digital healthcare” successfully addressed the challenges of “expensive and difficult healthcare,” thus making high-quality medical resources accessible to a wider population.
With the passage of time, the Second Affiliated Hospital has indelibly left its footprints in Jingdong. The past decade has witnessed a qualitative “transformation” in the People’s Hospital of Jingdong County, creating a win-win situation where “the people can benefit and the hospital can develop. The decade-long support has effectively promoted the construction of a healthy Jingdong, elevating the overall well-being of local residents.
(To be continued)