Since 2019, guided by the National Health Commission, the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission has established a paired hospital cooperation mechanism for ophthalmology. Under this initiative, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University has been providing counterpart support to the Hulhumale Hospital in the Maldives, jointly promoting the development of ophthalmology services in the Maldives. After four years of dedicated effort, Phase II of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center cooperation project has been successfully completed. The project has trained a significant number of Maldivian ophthalmology medical staff, greatly enhancing the quality of local ophthalmic medical services. Currently, both sides have begun planning for Phase III of the cooperation to further deepen collaboration and jointly open a new chapter in ophthalmic care.
A Landmark "666"
Driven by the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center project, ZOC has dispatched multiple short-term and long-term expert teams to the Maldives to conduct surgical demonstrations, teaching, free clinics, and medical tours. It has also hosted Maldivian medical personnel for training in China. Additionally, a substantial amount of ophthalmic equipment, supplies, and medications have been donated to the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center, providing strong support for the advancement of ophthalmic medical standards in the Maldives.
During the fifth mission of Phase II, Professor Lin Haotian, President of ZOC, led a medical team to Hulhumale Hospital in the Maldives to carry out international medical cooperation. On the afternoon of December 11, 2024, Professor Lin Haotian, Professor Chen Weirong, and others performed surgeries for local cataract patients. Prof. Lin successfully completed the 666th surgery performed by ZOC medical experts at the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center.
Hassan was the 666th patient to receive cataract surgery. Upon learning that the number '6' symbolizes good luck in China, he repeatedly expressed his joy and gratitude: "Thank you, Chinese doctors! I feel very comfortable, and I am truly lucky!" Professor Lin Haotian stated: "The 666th surgery signifies the smooth progress of China's international medical cooperation projects, bringing more hope to the local people."
Professor Lin Haotian performing phacoemulsification cataract surgery on the 666th patient
Patients taking a group photo with Professor Lin Haotian
Creating Three National 'Firsts' for the Maldives
In the Maldives, due to the limited diagnostic and surgical capabilities of local ophthalmologists, the types of eye surgeries that could be performed were very restricted. Previously, most patients with complex eye conditions, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, needed to be referred abroad for surgical treatment. For this mission, ZOC specially dispatched Professor Ma Jin, Director of the Fundus Disease Department (Ouzhuang Campus), and Associate Chief Physician Xu Jiangang, a glaucoma specialist. They successfully performed the first Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) and the first macular epiretinal membrane peeling in the Maldives, achieving a zero breakthrough for these two procedure types in the country and bringing great benefit to local patients.
ZOC also sent a special ophthalmic expert – an AI specialist. During this visit, ZOC donated its self-developed AI Digital Slit Lamp to the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center. By simply taking slit-lamp examination photos of a patient and uploading them, the system can generate a diagnostic report and treatment suggestions within one minute. Professor Liang Lingyi, Vice President of ZOC and Director of the Office for Prevention and Treatment of Blindness, took images for patient Moosa Fuad, automatically generating the Maldives' first AI ophthalmic diagnostic report. When the report was generated, it not only amazed the nurses and patients present but also demonstrated the power of Chinese AI technology. In the future, patients even in the remote Maldives can access professional medical services provided by ZOC experts.
Associate Chief Physician Xu Jiangang successfully performed the first MIGS in the Maldives
Professor Ma Jin successfully performed the first macular surgery in the Maldives
Professor Liang Lingyi used the AI Digital Slit Lamp to capture eye images for patient Moosa Fuad
Phase II Summary Ceremony Successfully Held
On the afternoon of December 12, a ceremony marking the conclusion of Phase II of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center project was held at Hulhumale Hospital. Maldivian dignitaries including Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim and Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, CEO of Male’ City Group of Hospitals, alongside Chinese representatives including Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives He Fen, and Professor Lin Haotian, President of ZOC, attended the event. They warmly congratulated the remarkable achievements made by the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center since its inauguration.
The grand inauguration of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center on January 13, 2020
The resumption of the aid and cooperation project at the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center on February 11, 2023
Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, CEO of Male’ City Group of Hospitals, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding contributions made by ZOC to the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center at Hulhumale Hospital. The successful implementation of the project has established the Center as a renowned modern ophthalmic hospital in the Maldives. Dr. Haleem also presented a handcrafted model sailboat to ZOC, symbolizing the profound friendship between China and the Maldives. He specifically thanked the medical team previously led by Professor Chen Weirong from ZOC and presented her with an "Outstanding Contribution Award."
At the ceremony, Professor Lin Haotian delivered a project summary report, reviewing the history of ZOC's foreign aid efforts and the excellent results achieved by the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center. He stated that the project's initial goal has now been achieved – creating a permanent, "unable-to-be-taken-away" ophthalmology center for the Maldives. The Maldivian Minister of Health expressed sincere thanks for China's support and looked forward to continued deepening of cooperation in the future.
Chargé d'Affaires ad interim He Fen stated that the establishment of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center has benefited the local people of the Maldives and is a project that connects the hearts and minds of the two peoples. Earlier this year, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu visited China upon President Xi Jinping’s invitation, opening a new vision for China-Maldives relations. China is willing to work with the Maldives to accelerate the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state and deepen practical cooperation in various fields, including health.
Key participants from China and the Maldives posing for a group photo in the lobby of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center
Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem presenting the "Ship of Friendship" to Professor Lin Haotian
Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem presenting the "Outstanding Contribution Award" to Professor Chen Weirong
Setting Sail: Opening a New Chapter for Future Cooperation
Professor Lin Haotian also stated that China will continue to provide ophthalmic medical support to the Maldives in the future. This effort will be empowered by the self-developed "5G Intelligent Ophthalmic Mobile Clinic" and advanced AI technology. This innovative approach will more efficiently and comprehensively protect the eye health of local residents, injecting new momentum into the development of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center.
The implementation of Phase II of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center project represents both a milestone achievement of the cooperation and a new starting point for future collaboration. Both sides will continue to work hand in hand to jointly promote the improvement of ophthalmic medical standards in the Maldives and stride forward towards a brighter future.
The ZOC medical team posing with local medical staff in front of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center plaque
Professor Lin Haotian leading medical staff from both China and the Maldives in a run
Link to related Yangcheng Evening News report:
