The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) has established a strong partnership with Renji Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, particularly in the field of liver transplantation. Together, they are advancing medical technology exchange and clinical practices, offering new hope for patients in need.
Under this framework, on the afternoon of February 11, 2025, a pediatric patient from the Philippines—sponsored by CGHMC and medical equipment provider Mindray—successfully underwent a living-donor liver transplant at Renji Hospital. The procedure was led by Dr. Xia Qiang, President of Renji Hospital, with the child’s father serving as the liver donor. A medical team from CGHMC accompanied the entire process to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly.
Following the surgery, the patient will remain under observation at Renji Hospital for approximately one month. Once stable, he will return to the Philippines to continue post-operative monitoring and follow-up treatment at CGHMC until he fully recovers and is discharged.
This landmark pediatric liver transplant at Renji Hospital not only highlights the achievements of China-Philippines medical cooperation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations but also provides a valuable learning experience for the CGHMC medical team, further enhancing the hospital’s expertise in liver transplantation.
Looking back at this collaboration, in May 2024, CGHMC and Renji Hospital formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Medical Cooperation, covering physician training, technological exchange, and clinical collaboration. Since then, CGHMC has sent two batches of doctors to Renji Hospital for professional training. The first group of six doctors, specializing in surgery and anesthesiology, focused on enhancing their skills in liver transplantation. The second batch, comprising eight doctors, accompanied the patient and specialized in pediatric liver transplant surgery, pediatric anesthesia, and pediatric critical care, working closely with Renji Hospital experts in both treatment and learning.
The patient, a two-year-and-two-month-old boy, was diagnosed with biliary atresia. Through the close collaboration between CGHMC and Renji Hospital, he underwent a rigorous screening and assessment process before being approved for a liver transplant. The comprehensive funding for this initiative—including surgical costs, hospitalization, travel expenses, and post-operative rehabilitation at CGHMC—was jointly sponsored by CGHMC and Mindray, with coordination by Philmed Dynasty Corp. In addition, Ms. Teresita Ang-See, Founding President of the Philippine Chinese Youth Federation, played a crucial role in facilitating the patient’s medical journey to China by expediting visa applications and necessary
documentation for both the child and his parents, ensuring the smooth implementation of the transplant plan.
This first successful pediatric liver transplant represents a significant breakthrough for CGHMC in the field of liver transplantation. Moving forward, CGHMC’s specialized team aims to perform pediatric liver transplant surgeries locally in the Philippines, with Renji Hospital providing technical guidance and
oversight. This initiative will benefit more Filipino patients in need, offering them a new lease on life.
Furthermore, it strengthens the partnership between CGHMC and Renji Hospital, laying a solid foundation for future advancements in China-Philippines medical cooperation.
