Leveraging Professional Strengths to Cultivate International Medical Talent

On a brisk Tuesday morning, December 19, at 6:50 AM, Ricardo Menjivar hurriedly entered the academic hall of the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (XMCH). Over the past six months, he had regularly attended the weekly case discussion meetings held every Tuesday morning at this venue. This time was special, as he ascended the stage as the main speaker for the first time, sharing his journey as a scholar under the "Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program" at XMCH, thus culminating his six-month tenure as a visiting scholar.

Reflections | Admiration for the Professional Dedication of Chinese Doctors

In response to the global shortage of cardiovascular specialists, XMCH, leveraging its high-quality specialty medical resources, initiated the "Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program." This program primarily targets BRICS and Belt and Road Initiative countries, recruiting young foreign cardiovascular doctors for specialized training in Xiamen.

Launched in April this year, the program was globally introduced at a high-level thematic promotional event for the Global Development Initiative, held at the United Nations headquarters by the Global Development Promotion Center of CIDCA. Following this, the Ministry of Health of El Salvador immediately sent two doctors to Xiamen for training. Currently, four visiting scholars from El Salvador, Vietnam, and Malaysia are receiving training in Xiamen.

During his training at XMCH, Ricardo Menjivar specialized in echocardiography and electrophysiology. "Almost every day, I encountered complex and interesting cases," he said. Two aspects of XMCH deeply impressed him: the successful treatment of severe and critical patients who seemed beyond help, and the unwavering early morning meetings where medical staff discuss challenging cases and the latest developments in their field, with a hospital-wide case discussion meeting every Tuesday morning.

This time, as the main speaker at the morning meeting, Ricardo Menjivar shared his experiences in participating in emergency treatments over the past six months. He was deeply impressed by the efficient operation of the emergency channels at XMCH and the seamless collaboration between disciplines. "Patients here are fortunate. I will take the knowledge and concepts I have learned back to benefit more patients in El Salvador," he reflected.

Elenilson Mejia, also a scholar from the Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program, experienced many thrilling moments in cardiothoracic surgery. "I saw many surgeries I had never seen before! Within my first week in Xiamen, I witnessed two heart transplant operations, and the patients recovered very well."

Mejia mentioned that his home hospital only has two cardiothoracic surgeons, and complex surgeries like Type A aortic dissection are performed only a few times a year. However, such procedures are routinely carried out at XMCH, with a success rate that reaches international leading levels.

During his six months at XMCH, Mejia was often astonished not only by the high skill level of the doctors but also by their dedication. "It's normal for cardiothoracic surgeons to work over ten hours a day. They operate all night if needed, without any complaints. It's incredible!"

On December 22, Ricardo Menjivar and Elenilson Mejia were set to board the plane back home. As their departure approached, they expressed their reluctance to leave. "In these six months, we've truly experienced the astonishing development speed of China. The professionalism, dedication, and willingness to share at XMCH have benefited us greatly. We will always remember the friendship of the Chinese people and hope to have another opportunity to come to China for learning and exchange."

Learning | Applauding 'Made in China' Advanced Technology

During an interview with Ricardo Menjivar and Elenilson Mejia, Lim Su Min, a Malaysian doctor, accompanied them, serving as a temporary interpreter. Fluent in Chinese, Lim had never visited China before. Her ancestors were from Quanzhou, and her parents had always dreamed of returning to China. Lim was struck by the beauty and modernity of Xiamen when she landed at Gaoqi International Airport on October 16.

Lim, whose hospital in Malaysia is a leading medical institution, chose the "Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program" at XMCH, intrigued by China's rapid medical advancements. At XMCH, she was amazed by innovative surgical techniques that were new to Malaysia, especially the maturely conducted TAVI surgeries.

Lim plans to spend a year training at XMCH, eager to soak up new knowledge and skills in this innovative environment. Her experience, along with that of Nguyen Tuan Viet, a Vietnamese electrophysiology doctor, reflects a deep appreciation for the advanced 'Made in China' medical devices they encountered at XMCH, contrasting with the German and American products they were more familiar with.

Like Lim Su Min, Nguyen Tuan Viet, a Vietnamese electrophysiology doctor, greatly valued the learning opportunity at XMCH. In Vietnam, his hospital performed over ten pacemaker electrophysiology surgeries weekly, a number XMCH achieves daily. Nguyen appreciated the detailed, hands-on guidance from XMCH doctors, feeling a swift growth in his expertise.

In their first month at XMCH, Nguyen Tuan Viet and Lim Su Min spent their free time capturing and sharing photos of the beautiful surroundings, cutting-edge facilities, and various advanced medical devices, especially the effective 'Made in China' medical equipment, a contrast to the German and American products they were accustomed to.

Goal | Cultivating More International Cardiovascular Medical Talent

United by destiny and dreams, the Belt and Road Initiative and BRICS cooperation synergize, infusing positive energy into global peace and development. XMCH, as a branch of the National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and a regional medical center for cardiovascular diseases co-built by the commission and the province, utilizes its rich clinical resources, robust research platform, and technical prowess. It actively establishes international platforms for exchange and cooperation, such as the BRICS Cardiovascular Health Innovation Center. Through the "Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program," it aims to cultivate cardiovascular talents for BRICS and Belt and Road countries.

Beyond the four visiting scholars, the program has received applications from nearly 20 doctors from countries like India, Brazil, Russia, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Colombia, laying a "talent pathway" to promote global health cooperation. Concurrently, XMCH collaborates with research institutions and enterprises to advance the development of domestic innovative medical devices, pushing Chinese medical devices to international markets. This effort aims to provide world-class products and technologies for patients globally, contributing XMCH's strength to the benefit of all nations and the world.