From October 28 to November 10, 2024, the medical outreach team from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University embarked on its seventh "Bright Journey" to the Maldives.

This medical team consisted of Chen Wan, Associate Chief Physician from the ZOC Department of Cataract, and Assistant to the President of ZOC Hainan Eye Hospital; Huang Yongsheng, Associate Chief Physician from the ZOC Department of Fundus Diseases; Xiao Huiming, Chief Nurse of the ZOC Nursing Department; and Xia Kong, Deputy Head Nurse of the ZOC Department of Cataract. During this Bright Journey, the team traveled to two relatively remote outer islands—Ungoofaaru Island and Thinadhoo Island—providing diagnosis and treatment to over 230 patients. Their efforts not only brought the gift of sight to local residents but also further deepened the medical cooperation between China and the Maldives.

Lin Haotian, President of ZOC, and Liang Lingyi, Vice President of ZOC and Director of the Office of Blindness Prevention and Treatment, seeing off the medical team.

On Thinadhoo Island, the launch ceremony for the free medical service was attended by distinguished guests including H.E. Wang Lixin, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives; H.E. Ismail Qasim, State Minister of the Maldivian Ministry of Health; and Saud, Mayor of Thinadhoo. Ambassador Wang Lixin delivered a speech at the ceremony, noting that the "Bright Journey" is a people's livelihood project implemented in the Maldives by ZOC under the Belt and Road Initiative. Since Professor Chen Weirong led the team to initiate the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center project in the Maldives in 2019, approximately 5,000 patients have received diagnosis and treatment, with over 600 patients regaining their sight. Following Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to China in early 2024, which opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, China will continue to leverage the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state to further strengthen cooperation with the Maldives in health and other fields, jointly benefiting the Maldivian people.

H.E. Wang Lixin, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives (6th from right); H.E. Ismail Qasim, State Minister of the Maldivian Ministry of Health (5th from right); and Saud, Mayor of Thinadhoo (4th from right), visiting the free clinic site and taking a group photo with the ZOC medical team.

At the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center in Hulhumalé—supported by ZOC under the guidance of the National Health Commission of China and the Health Commission of Guangdong Province—the medical team conducted two theoretical training sessions, provided outpatient services to over 220 patients, and successfully performed 58 cataract surgeries.

The medical outreach team posing with a patient after completing the final surgery.

The ZOC medical outreach team providing free medical services to residents on Thinadhoo Island, Maldives.

Associate Chief Physician Huang Yongsheng conducting a theoretical training session for medical staff at the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center.

The ZOC medical outreach team providing free medical services to residents on Ungoofaaru Island, Maldives.

The medical team's expertise was highly praised by the local community. Ambassador Wang Lixin, along with a delegation including H.E. Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Health of the Maldives, visited the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center. They met with post-operative cataract patients and engaged in warm conversations. The patients expressed their profound gratitude to the Chinese medical team.

H.E. Wang Lixin, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives (7th from left), and H.E. Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Minister of Health of the Maldives (8th from left), along with health ministry officials, visiting the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center and taking a group photo.

Local Maldivian medical staff also commended the Chinese doctors for their superb skills and attentive service, acknowledging the tangible help provided to the local community. Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim spoke highly of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center collaboration project and the Chinese medical team, extending his sincere appreciation.

This "Bright Journey" was not only an instance of international medical cooperation and exchange but also a bridge connecting the hearts of the people. Moving forward, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center will continue to deepen cooperation and exchange with relevant institutions in the Maldives, jointly promoting the development of the China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center project and bringing hope to more Maldivian people in need.