On November 13, 2024, the "Bright Journey" medical team from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University arrived in Nauru, conducting a week-long free clinic initiative.
During the mission, the team provided consultations for hundreds of local patients, successfully performed 23 sight-restoring cataract surgeries, and introduced retinal laser surgery and pterygium excision surgery for the first time in Nauru, marking significant breakthroughs and advancements in the country's ophthalmic care.
Technological Innovation: New Breakthroughs in Nauru's Ophthalmic Care
The "Bright Journey" medical team, led by Prof. Huang Wenyong, Deputy Director of ZOC's Office of Blindness Prevention and Treatment, proceeded to Nauru after completing their mission in Fiji, continuing their Pacific Islands journey. Arriving at Nauru Airport at 5 a.m., the team transported 19 boxes of medical supplies to Ron Hospital, the only hospital in Nauru.
"Bright Journey" medical team arrives in Nauru
On the morning of November 13, following meticulous preparations by the Chinese Embassy and the local Ministry of Health, the ZOC team attended the launch ceremony for the "Bright Journey" activity in Nauru. The event was attended by H.E. Lü Jin, Chinese Ambassador to Nauru; Hon. Charmain Scotty, Minister of Health of Nauru; Wang Xuguang, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nauru; representatives from Ron Hospital; and patient representatives.
Ambassador Lü Jin noted that the ZOC medical team's "Bright Journey" is the first medical team to arrive in Nauru since the resumption of diplomatic ties, signifying the effective implementation of the cooperative consensus reached by the leaders of both countries in the health sector. He described the activity as timely assistance, the fulfillment of a commitment, and a pioneering effort for future cooperation. Minister Scotty expressed sincere gratitude for China's assistance to Nauru in the health sector, emphasized Nauru's full support for the smooth operation of the expert team's free clinics, and looked forward to close communication and the arrival of more medical teams in the future.
China-Nauru "Bright Journey" Launch Ceremony
At Ron Hospital, the medical team quickly began work. They discovered a high proportion of patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy among the local population. Drawing on their extensive experience, team members developed personalized surgical plans for each patient.
Vinson, a patient weighing over 100 kilograms with limited mobility and severely impaired vision, received patient pre-operative examinations from the team. They assisted him onto the operating table and successfully performed cataract surgery. Post-surgery, Vinson's vision recovered well, and he expressed profound gratitude to the Chinese ophthalmic medical team.
Within just seven days, the team consulted 100 patients, successfully performing 23 cataract sight-restoring surgeries, 7 retinal laser surgeries, and 1 pterygium excision surgery. This significantly broadened the range and coverage of treatments available, providing Nauru residents with access to the most advanced ophthalmic techniques.
At 10 a.m. on November 16, Ambassador Lü Jin visited the hospital to meet patients who had undergone cataract surgery. Patients holding Chinese national flags, their faces radiant with happy smiles, repeatedly thanked the Chinese medical team for their superb skills. They expressed wishes for lasting friendship between China and Nauru.
Exchange and Advancement: Elevating Nauru's Ophthalmic Standards
On the morning of the 19th, the medical team was invited to visit the Nauru Public Health Cooperation Centre for in-depth exchanges with local medical staff on eye health management. Given the high screening rate for diabetic retinopathy, the team held detailed discussions and provided training specifically on eye health management for diabetic patients. Additionally, the team conducted comprehensive training for local staff, covering pre-operative eye washing procedures and live surgical video demonstrations, answering questions and enhancing the standardization of local ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment.
The medical team at the Nauru Public Health Cooperation Centre
This "Bright Journey" initiative not only brought hope to the people of Nauru by providing high-quality ophthalmic services at their doorstep but also built a bridge of cooperation and friendship between China and Nauru in the medical field, injecting fresh vitality and momentum into the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two peoples.
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center will continue to explore innovative models for international medical cooperation, provide efficient and feasible "Chinese solutions", contributing greater strength to the building of a global community with a shared future for mankind.
