Combining "Going Out" and "Bringing In": Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Explores New Models of International Exchange and Cooperation

From April 15 to 22, 2024, a team led by President Wang Yan from the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (XMCH) was invited to visit Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador for exchange visits. During this period, they signed cooperation agreements with the Hospital de Messejana in Ceará, Brazil, and the  Hospital Nacional Rosales in El Salvador.

The team guided local hospitals in performing interventional cardiology and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. They also exchanged the latest cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment technologies with expert teams from the three countries and promoted Chinese innovative medical devices abroad.

This visit achieved fruitful outcomes and explored new models of international cooperation for public hospitals. Within the framework of deepening BRICS cooperation and building the "Belt and Road" initiative, it strengthened medical and health exchanges between China and Latin American countries, providing a significant boost towards building a global community of health for all.

The "Medical" Bridge Connecting the Twin Cities of BRICS: Deepening Practical Cooperation

Ceará State in Brazil and Fujian Province have enjoyed over twenty years of friendly relations. Both Fortaleza, the capital city of Ceará, and Xiamen are port cities that have hosted BRICS leadership summits. In May 2023, these two "BRICS cities" officially became sister cities. XMCH has maintained close communication with Hospital de Messejana in Fortaleza.

During this visit, XMCH visited Hospital de Messejana and, on the morning of April 15th, Brazilian time, under the joint witness of Cui Yonghui, Secretary of the Xiamen Municipal Party Committee, Lan Heping, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Recife, and Governor De Freitas of Ceará State, Elmano de Freitas da Costa, the two hospitals signed a cooperation agreement. This agreement covers comprehensive collaboration in areas such as cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment technologies, medical management, scientific research, and talent development, aiming to promote cardiovascular health exchanges and cooperation among BRICS countries.

That same afternoon, President Wang Yan provided on-site guidance at Hospital de Messejana for the use of a Chinese-made interventional valve device (VenusA—Pro) to successfully perform a complex Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) surgery. This marked the first implantation of a Chinese-made valve device in the Brazilian public healthcare system, further demonstrating the expertise of Chinese specialists and the exceptional performance of the domestic valves. This achievement is set to enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of interventional treatments for structural heart disease, benefiting more Brazilian patients with heart valve conditions through Chinese solutions and technologies.

During the visit to Brazil, the delegation also visited the Insitituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia in São Paulo. They provided guidance to the hospital's physicians on the use of the Chinese original technology μFR system for precise analysis of coronary physiology, and successfully completed a complex coronary stent implantation surgery. Additionally, they visited the largest cardiac specialty institution in Brazil, the Instituto do Coração da Universidade de São Paulo (InCor), engaging in in-depth discussions with world-class cardiac specialist teams to exchange cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment concepts and share relevant experiences.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, heralding an important milestone of carrying forward the past and ushering in the future. Under the framework of BRICS cooperation, the two countries will continue to deepen their cooperation in healthcare and medical fields.

Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative: Strengthening Medical Assistance Abroad

El Salvador's healthcare system faces challenges such as weak infrastructure in public hospitals and a shortage of healthcare professionals. In recent years, under the guidance and support of the Chinese Embassy in El Salvador, XMCH has taken the lead in exploring medical assistance to El Salvador. On the morning of April 22nd, El Salvador time, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital and the Hospital Nacional Rosales of El Salvador signed a memorandum of cooperation. This event was witnessed by Zhang Yanhui, the Chinese Ambassador to El Salvador, and Carlos Alvarenga, the Deputy Minister of Health of El Salvador.

During the delegation's visit to El Salvador, President Wang Yan and Professor Wang Bin provided on-site guidance at Hospital Nacional Rosales. They instructed the hospital's medical team to use Chinese-made valve intervention equipment (VitaFlow Liberty®) to successfully perform a complex Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) surgery. Vice President Wu Xijie, together with the hospital's physicians, also completed a minimally invasive small incision aortic valve replacement surgery. Both surgeries were groundbreaking procedures within El Salvador's public healthcare system. Additionally,XMCH, in collaboration with Microport Medical Group, donated a batch of medical equipment worth $50,000 to the hospital.

The 'Belt and Road' is a major Chinese diplomatic project that helps improve livelihoods in other countries. Under this initiative, XMCH promotes Chinese medical technology and experts globally, aiding in the improvement of healthcare in recipient countries, thus ensuring high-quality development in health initiatives along the 'Belt and Road'.

The Heart Sapling Program Included in the Global Development Project Pool

During this visit, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital prominently introduced the "Heart Sapling" Visiting Scholars Program, an international training program for cardiovascular specialists. Each year, the program recruits 15-20 young cardiovascular specialists from BRICS and Belt and Road Initiative countries to Xiamen for specialized cardiovascular training lasting six months to one year.

This program was officially announced by the Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) at the United Nations headquarters on April 19, 2023. To date, it has conducted training for 12 participants from seven countries including Brazil, India, El Salvador, Malaysia, and Indonesia. On April 19, marking its first anniversary, the CIDCA announced the inclusion of the Heart Sapling Program in the Global Development Project Pool.

In Brazil, one doctor from Hospital de Messejana has participated in the "Heart Sapling" Visiting Scholars Program and arrived at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital for a six-month training period starting in March this year.

Meanwhile, in El Salvador, two doctors selected by the Salvadoran Ministry of Health arrived at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital for a six-month specialized training in July 2023. After returning home, they have become technical backbones in local hospitals, assisting the delegation in performing surgeries during this visit. Additionally, in Colombia, the delegation interviewed a candidate for the Heart Sapling Program.

The Heart Sapling Program has become an important platform for young cardiovascular physicians worldwide to learn advanced cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment technologies and understand innovative medical devices manufactured in China.

Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital explores new models of international exchange and cooperation through a dual approach of "going out" and "bringing in." Within the strategic frameworks of BRICS cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative, the hospital plans to "bring in" more young doctors for training in Chinese technologies and products in the future. Simultaneously, it aims to "go out" more to provide surgical guidance, contributing significantly to the building of a global community of health for all.