Yixian-Jiexi Aid Initiative Starts New Chapter Following 8-Year Effort
On June 28, 2025, a delegation led by Gao Song, President of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), visited Jiexi County People’s Hospital. That afternoon, the hospital held a counterpart support program meeting titled "Healthy China Initiative in Jiexi: Renowned Yixian Doctors Forge a New Chapter," attended by Gao Song; Yang Jianlin, Party Committee Secretary of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (SYSMH); Liu Chao and Tang Yamei, Vice Presidents of SYSMH; Wang Jingfeng, Director of Cardiovascular Medicine; Li Heping, Director of Oncology; Li Yujuan, Deputy Director of Anesthesiology; as well as Huang Zhihui, Party Secretary, and Li Zhimin, President of Jiexi County People’s Hospital.
At the meeting venue
At the meeting, President Li Zhimin highlighted the achievements of the "stationed support and flexible aid" dual-track mechanism, which has deepened technological and managerial collaboration between SYSMH and Jiexi County People’s Hospital. This partnership has significantly elevated the county's medical standards, particularly in establishing the five major emergency and first-aid centers. Breakthroughs include introducing advanced technology, performing complex surgeries to bridge regional healthcare gaps, and building Oncology and Hematology from the ground up. A remote consultation system now supports real-time ward rounds, case discussions, and training.
Secretary Chen Xiaoqing, representing the county Party committee and government, extended sincere gratitude to Sun Yat-sen University and SYSMH for their sustained support. He highlighted that since the partnership’s establishment in 2017, Jiexi County has recorded the city’s highest growth rate in hospitalization rates. He emphasized enhancing collaboration in hospital management and talent development to boost Jiexi County People's Hospital's regional medical role, improving local healthcare services.
Secretary Yang Jianlin expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Gao Song and Sun Yat-sen University for their unwavering dedication to grassroots healthcare. He reflected on the eight-year assistance journey, tracing its evolution from initial voluntary support by local experts to formalized hospital partnerships, and ultimately into a provincial 'cluster-style' intensive support model—a transformation that has dramatically improved local medical capabilities, with hospitalization rates now nearing prefecture-level city benchmarks. Moving forward, SYSMH will implement a Party-building-led '2.0' assistance model that integrates medical services, education, research, and management, rigorously applying Class 3A hospital standards to build a tiered diagnosis and treatment system in eastern Guangdong, thereby pioneering a practical new paradigm for advancing the Healthy China strategy.
President Gao Song affirmed that the achievements of the hospital counterpart support program vividly demonstrate both the university's and local government's adherence to the 'people-first' development philosophy. He emphasized how this collaboration has channeled Sun Yat-sen University's resources toward 'consolidating Guangdong's health foundation for implementing the Hundreds, Thousands and Tens of Thousands Project'. For future cooperation, President Gao outlined three strategic priorities: intensifying 'Internet and Healthcare' support to facilitate Class 3A hospital accreditation, optimizing precision talent development programs, and advancing chronic disease prevention research by capitalizing on Jiexi's unique ecological advantages as a 'natural oxygen bar'."
At the meeting, Associate Professor Lyu Jun from SYSMH reported on the progress of the county's chronic disease management center and the 'Weight Management Year' initiative. Subsequently, attendees inaugurated the 'Jiexi County People's Hospital Weight Management Clinic' during a plaque unveiling ceremony, followed by inspections of both the new clinic and the charitable medical facility.
On-site investigation
A joint medical team from SYSMH and Jiexi County People's Hospital held a charity clinic, offering expert consultations and personalized health guidance to local residents
Prof. Liu Chao received a thank-you letter from a patient he had saved eight years ago from life-threatening pregnancy complications caused by a congenital cyst, praising his "kindness and skill" as her child now thrived.
Prof. Liang Maojin from NET department received a banner from Yangjiang's first cochlear implant recipient post-centralized procurement.
