On October 20th, a medical team from Zhejiang University School of Medicine conducted congenital heart disease screenings for children in Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, demonstrating their commitment to children’s health.
“Can you tell me when you first noticed anything was wrong with your heart, young one?” asked a member of the Zhejiang Children’s Hospital’s cardiac center team, as they began their assessments at the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital.
The team’s efforts, which also involved local medical staff, led to successful interventional surgeries for seven children the following day, giving them a new lease on life.
In this high-altitude region, many parents lack awareness about the dangers of congenital heart disease, and insufficient medical resources mean that some children do not receive timely treatment, impacting their long-term health.
Shu Qiang, the party secretary and director of the cardiac center at Zhejiang Children’s Hospital, took the health of local children to heart, sending a skilled team to Haixi at the request of the Qinghai Aid Command and the local hospital. This team included Wang Wei, the director of the medical department and a senior physician in cardiovascular medicine; Fan Xiangming, the director of cardiac surgery; Ye Jingjing, the head of the ultrasound department; and anesthesiologist Jiang Yilei.
In the screening room, the Zhejiang team carefully examined the children while patiently explaining treatment options and surgical timing to worried parents. They performed ultrasound assessments to gather necessary information for further treatment.
“It’s a privilege to be here in Haixi, participating in this screening and treatment initiative. Some cases are quite complex and will require further treatment back at our hospital,” Wang Wei noted.
One prevalent condition they encountered was atrial septal defect, which can significantly affect a patient’s long-term health. Over a year ago, a seven-year-old boy named Xiaoyu (pseudonym) was diagnosed with this condition, causing distress for his family. Recently, he underwent a successful catheterization procedure at the Haixi hospital.
Similarly, Xiaobin (pseudonym) faced a diagnosis of atrial septal defect. His family had planned to seek treatment elsewhere, but with Zhejiang experts visiting their area, they received improved care and alleviated some of the financial burdens.
When Xiaobin was seen post-surgery, he was happily exercising in the hospital corridor with his mother. “I’m so happy today, it’s my birthday!” he exclaimed.
His mother added, “The successful surgery is the best birthday gift we could ask for!”
To further enhance the “Zhejiang-Qinghai Family” initiative, the Zhejiang Aid Command partnered with the Haixi Prefecture People’s Hospital to launch a proactive congenital heart disease screening project this year. Special funding was allocated to ensure treatment for patients, addressing urgent community needs.
“In recent years, Zhejiang’s medical aid efforts have focused on talent development, discipline construction, telemedicine, and hospital management,” said Shi Hu, party secretary and vice president of the Haixi People’s Hospital. “From the ‘Five Recovery’ initiative to early screening and treatment for strokes, and now this screening campaign for congenital heart disease, we are demonstrating the spirit of ‘Zhejiang and Qinghai as one family, working together for a new Haixi.'”
