On Monday, medical cooperation between China and Tonga reached a new high as eight Tongan patients were officially discharged from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. A joyous ceremony marked the successful completion of complex treatments, ranging from bypass surgery to tailored medication plans.
Arriving in Shandong this July, the patients were part of the first institutional patient referral cooperation between China and a Pacific Island country. Months of care and close coordination paid off when hospital staff and families gathered to celebrate full recoveries.
This pioneering effort began with a video conference in March between the Tongan Ministry of Health and Shandong officials, laying the groundwork for a memorandum of understanding signed in May. The agreement unlocked access to specialized cardiac and general medicine services for Pacific Island nations.
The initiative is driven by the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Change Cooperation Center, established in Shandong in 2022. Beyond climate projects, the center has integrated provincial medical resources to support regional health. To date, Shandong has dispatched six medical teams to Tonga, strengthening local capacity and building long-term partnerships.
Looking ahead, both sides aim to broaden collaboration, offering advanced treatments and training programs to bring sustainable healthcare solutions across the Pacific. The successful discharge at Qilu Hospital signals a promising future for global health cooperation led by young leaders and changemakers worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
