Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital's "Heart Sapling Program" Announced at the United Nations to Launch Global Talent Training

On April 19, 2023, the "New Progress in Global Development Initiatives, New Actions for Sustainable Development Agenda" thematic briefing was jointly organized by China International Development Cooperation Agency （CIDCA）, the Permanent Mission of the People Republic of China to the UN, and the United Nations at the UN headquarters.

During the event, the Global Development Promotion Center of China International Development Cooperation Agency highlighted two talent training programs at Xiamen that are expected to be launched soon, including the "Heart Sapling Program" initiated by Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, which is a Cardiovascular Specialist Training Program.

Currently, cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of human health problems. China, India, and Russia ranking among the top three countries in terms of cardiovascular disease mortality rates, all of which are members of BRICS. However, there is a severe shortage of cardiovascular specialists globally, making cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment a social issue faced by all humanity.

To further enhance cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment capabilities in BRICS countries and globally, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, as a national cardiovascular disease regional medical center, is focusing more on cardiovascular specialist physician training. They have proposed the "Heart Sapling Program" targeting BRICS countries and "Friends of the Global Development Initiative" member countries.

The project combines the approach of recruiting foreign cardiovascular specialist physicians to training in China and dispatching Chinese experts to provide teaching guidance abroad, aiming to cultivate excellent talents to enhance cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment capabilities, and promote global cardiovascular health.

It is understood that since the establishment of the BRICS Cardiovascular Health Innovation Center by Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital in 2022, multiple online exchange activities have been conducted with BRICS countries such as Brazil and India. The "Heart Sapling Program" was actively promoted by the Foreign Affairs Office of Xiamen Municipal People's government, the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center, and other departments. With the support of the Global Development Promotion Center of CIDCA, it was officially announced at the United Nations headquarters, indicating the official launch of the program. Starting from the second half of this year, 15 to 20 foreign young physicians will begin receiving specialist training at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital.