Yemeni doctor Ammar Al-Baadani builds a medical bridge in Yiwu

On a busy workday at the international clinic of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (ZJU4H) in Yiwu, Dr. Ammar Al-Baadani seamlessly switches between English, Arabic, and fluent Mandarin. As the first foreign doctor in Yiwu, a global trading hub in East China's Zhejiang Province, the Yemeni physician has spent nearly a decade building a vital medical bridge between the local community and its vast international population.

Ammar’s connection to China began in his hometown of Ibb, Yemen. When he was 13, a Chinese medical aid team cured his father’s facial paralysis using traditional acupuncture. Witnessing this medical miracle sparked a lifelong dream. In 1997, Ammar arrived in China to study Chinese at Shandong University. Through sheer determination, he mastered the language, even winning the gold prize at the second "Chinese Bridge" competition for international students in 2009. He went on to study medicine at Tianjin Medical University before earning his PhD from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine in 2017.

During his doctoral studies, Ammar frequently visited Yiwu and was captivated by its vibrant, multicultural atmosphere. He also noticed a pressing need: while Yiwu attracted hundreds of thousands of foreign merchants annually, many struggled to access healthcare due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with the Chinese medical system. Some even brought suitcases of medicine from their home countries, unaware of local equivalents.

Driven by a sense of responsibility, Ammar chose to practice in Yiwu after graduation, turning down offers from first-tier cities. The local government warmly supported his pioneering move, streamlining the registration process for foreign doctors. Today, Yiwu boasts a standardized system that has welcomed several other international physicians.

In 2021, ZJU4H established its first international clinic. Beyond treating patients, Ammar became a catalyst for systemic reform. He advocated for crucial updates to improve the patient experience, such as allowing foreign passports for online registration, introducing bilingual interfaces on self-service machines, and providing English medical reports. Thanks to these efforts, ZJU4H now serves more than 26,500 international patients annually, with health checkups completed in under two hours.

Ammar’s dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious West Lake Friendship Award in 2024, the highest honor for foreign experts in Zhejiang Province. In 2025, he was appointed as Yiwu's medical insurance promotion ambassador, helping foreign residents understand and access local healthcare benefits. The year 2026 brought another milestone when he received his permanent residence identity card, known as the "Five-Star Card."

Now living in Yiwu with his wife and three children, Ammar proudly refers to himself as "Made in China." "I have spent half of my life here," he said. "I will continue to use my medical skills to connect Yiwu with the world and help more people feel at home."

Adapted and translated from the article written by Global People
Translator: JIANG Chenqi ('27, Structural Engineering)
Photo: the interviewee
Editor: JIANG Chenqi, DING Chenwei