On September 30, a vibrant celebration took place to mark the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, alongside the launch of the initiative “My Health, My Story—Party Lessons Begin.” The event featured a compelling array of speakers, including pharmaceutical experts focused on creating affordable cancer treatments for everyday individuals, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners advocating for the fusion of traditional practices with local tourism, and doctors from Shanghai leveraging technology to improve healthcare in Morocco.
Wen Daxiang, the Director of the Shanghai Health and Family Planning Commission, underscored the authenticity of the speakers. He remarked that they effectively communicated the essence of faith through straightforward language, shared crucial health information, and intertwined innovative theories into engaging narratives about health development. This approach made complex concepts more accessible and impactful.
Since 1975, Shanghai’s medical aid team has made substantial contributions in Morocco, with nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals providing free medical services to underserved communities. Shen Weizhe from the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Health Commission shared stories highlighting the challenges faced by Shanghai doctors. For instance, they achieved remarkable successes, including performing drainage surgery on a 107-year-old patient with a liver abscess and delivering babies in delivery rooms that were shaken by earthquakes.
Jia Yang, director of the Shanghai Medical Literature Museum, discussed a new approach to making ancient Chinese medical texts relevant to modern life. He shared his vision for “living” traditional Chinese medicine, moving away from the usual communication methods. By transforming a Qing Dynasty residence in Pudong’s Xinchang Town into an interactive space for TCM, he explained, “We’ve established various engaging areas, such as a cultural creative hub and a ‘Chinese Medicine Lifestyle’ studio, drawing thousands to explore health through traditional practices.” Recent innovations have seen traditional herbs blended with cultural textiles and seasonal TCM markets, boosting health tourism in the area. The “Haipai Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Base” has emerged from Xinchang Town, spreading TCM culture to regions beyond, enticing over 200 students and teachers from more than 30 countries to experience its richness.
Launched in December 2021, China’s first large-scale television science popularization talk show, “Health Talk Show,” has captured audiences from Shanghai to the Yangtze River Delta and extended its reach to the global Chinese community. During the celebration, several doctors showcased the original intent of the “Health Talk Show” through a scripted performance. On this platform, they address health misconceptions and debunk myths with humor, striving to illuminate blind spots in public health awareness. Their goal is also to bridge the gap between doctors and patients, fostering greater understanding and connection.
In a particularly touching moment, a speaker from the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products shared the inspiring journey of Professor Qu Aidong. After graduating from Fudan University in 1984, she realized the daunting challenge families faced due to the high cost of cancer treatments. After learning about advanced antibody drugs available abroad that effectively targeted tumors but were priced exorbitantly, she dedicated herself to creating affordable antibody treatments for the Chinese population. Her tireless efforts ultimately led to the introduction of a groundbreaking drug, offering a first-line treatment for hematological cancers that many families could at last afford.
