Warmhearted gesture

Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

The first batch of Bangladeshi patients reached Southwest China's Kunming of Yunnan province, for medical treatment on March 10, marking a new chapter in bilateral ties between China and Bangladesh.

The development came as the nations are celebrating the golden jubilee of friendship, The Daily Star said.

The delegation comprised 14 patients, three of whom were children with congenital heart disease, along with their attendants, five doctors, and five travel agency representatives.

The patients will undergo medical checkups and receive treatment at designated hospitals, while the doctors and travel agents will assess hospital facilities, accommodation, and travel arrangements.

During a trip to China earlier this year, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain proposed the strengthening of bilateral ties in public health, requesting China to facilitate medical treatment for Bangladeshi patients, among other proposals.

To accommodate Bangladeshi patients, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said during a news conference that the visa process will be expedited as soon as possible to ensure there is no delay in treatment.

Bangladesh Ambassador to China Nazmul Islam said this visit opened a new chapter in the ever-growing friendship between the two nations. "As we gather in the beautiful city of Kunming, we not only celebrate an important initiative in health cooperation but also commemorate a historic milestone — the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.

"Our relationship, rooted in history, has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing political, economic, trade, defense, culture, and now, this new cooperation in the health sector.

"Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1975, our countries have worked closely on a range of initiatives, overcoming challenges and embracing new opportunities. China has been a steadfast partner in Bangladesh's journey toward development, supporting our infrastructure projects and our industrialization efforts."

He added, "As we celebrate this special anniversary, we take a significant step toward enhancing people-to-people relationships through healthcare cooperation. The launch of this cooperation is a landmark achievement that will not only benefit the people of Bangladesh but also strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two nations.

"Through this initiative, Bangladeshi patients will have access to world-class medical facilities in China, receiving specialized treatment and care. This pilot initiative will lay the foundation for a structured, long-term healthcare cooperation program between our two countries."

Nazmul also said this visit presents an invaluable opportunity for medical professionals to engage in a meaningful knowledge exchange.

"The participation of Bangladeshi doctors in this initiative will enable them to gain exposure to China's advanced medical practices, innovative methodologies, and cutting-edge research," he said.

After the reception, the patients were taken to their designated hospitals — some for checkups, some for treatment.

Three of the patients — Al Fuad Ahmed Sajid, 10; Yeamin Ibne Ripon, 8, and Partha Das, 18 months old — were admitted to the pediatric ward of Fuwai Hospital under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. All three of them have holes in their hearts.

Fuwai Hospital is one of the most advanced hospitals specializing in cardiovascular diseases in China. With state-of-the-art machinery and technology, it has earned itself a triple A, first-class hospital status.

Speaking to The Daily Star on March 11, Sajid's mother, Mosammat Selina Akhter, said, "We came all the way from Kishoreganj (a district in Dhaka) under this initiative. Earlier, Sajid was admitted to the National Heart Foundation in Bangladesh. After we came here, we were pleasantly surprised by the behavior of the doctors and other staffers and also their facilities. We are very hopeful about his treatment."

Partha's mother, Suchanda Rani Das, had similar hopes after coming to the hospital.

Mohammad Ripon Khan, father of Yeamin, said, "So far, everything has been going well. The only problem we face is the language barrier. The doctors do not understand us, and we do not understand them. But thankfully, we have someone who helps us with translation and interpretation."

After admission, they spend around a day or two doing relevant tests on the patient to check which areas need focus. After that, they discuss with specialists, most of the time from Beijing, and set a date for the surgery, which takes around two to three hours.

Once the surgery is over, the child is sent to the pediatric ICU for initial recovery, which only takes a couple of days. The child is then sent back to the ward for observation for a few days, and once the doctors think the patient is fit enough for physical activity, they are sent back. The whole process doesn't take more than a week, said Sokhon, a translator for Cambodian patients.

The Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital of Yunnan province sees around 24 to 30 foreign pediatric patients among 300,000 patients each year.

The Daily Star, Bangladesh