The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) and Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen medical services, training, and research collaboration. The agreement covers clinical training, researcher programs, academic scientific programs, and nurse training, with a focus on liver transplant-related fields. This collaboration marks a new milestone in healthcare for both institutions, aiming to advance liver transplant medical services and enhance patient quality of life. The partnership is anticipated to bring more effective treatments and better health outcomes for patients in the Philippines.
On May 22, 2024, CGHMC welcomed Dr. Xue Feng, Director of Pediatric Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Dr. Qiu Bijun, Director of Organ Donation Center, and Dr. Zhuang Jie, Director of International Affairs Center from Renji Hospital. Their visit signifies a deeper cooperation between the two institutions.
Renji Hospital, also known as Shanghai Renji Hospital, is one of the oldest Western hospitals in China, established in 1844. Renowned for its outstanding medical technology and advanced facilities, especially in liver transplantation, Renji Hospital has performed thousands of pediatric liver transplant surgeries, making it one of the world’s leading medical institutions in this field.
Under the guidance of CGHMC Medical Director Dr. Samuel Ang, the Renji Hospital delegates toured various departments of CGHMC to understand its operations and medical facilities. Subsequently, an official cooperation meeting was held in the conference room.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Kelly H. Sia, President and CEO of CGHMC, delivered a welcome speech, expressing gratitude for the distinguished visitors from Renji Hospital. He emphasized Renji Hospital’s leading position in global liver transplantation and its significant achievements in thousands of transplant surgeries.
Mr. Sia highlighted the substantial economic burden of liver disease in the Philippines and the high cost of liver transplantation. Currently, only a few private hospitals offer liver transplant services. CGHMC plans to relocate its specialized liver transplant department, led by Dr. Noruel Gerald Salvador, to the Dr. James Dy Garden Suite, expected to be completed by 2025, providing modern healthcare facilities.
Dr. Samuel Ang introduced the five institutions under the PCCAI: Manila Chinese Cemetery, CGHMC, CGH College, Home for the Aged, and the Charity Clinic. Dr. Julie Li-Yu, Director of Medical Education and Research Department, provided detailed explanations of the training status in various specialties at CGHMC. Subsequently, the three delegates from Renji Hospital introduced themselves and shared their rich experiences in the field of liver transplantation.
With the witnesses of the attending physicians and delegates, Mr. Kelly Sia, on behalf of CGHMC, officially signed the cooperation agreement with Renji Hospital. This signing marks a new stage in the cooperation between CGHMC and Renji Hospital, looking forward to deeper collaboration in the field of liver transplantation, aiming to provide better treatment and quality of life for patients, and ultimately enhance the level of liver transplantation medical care in the Philippines.
In the afternoon, a symposium was held, inviting Dr. Rose Marie Liquete, Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and Dr. Maria Vanessa De Villa, Head of Liver Disease Management and Transplant Department at The Medical City, to participate. Dr. Xue introduced the current status of liver transplantation at Renji Hospital and talent training programs, emphasizing the importance of teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish directly. She also shared how Renji Hospital assisted the University Malaya Medical Center in Malaysia in establishing pediatric living donor liver transplantation. Dr. Noruel Gerald Salvador from CGHMC also presented the current situation of liver transplantation in the Philippines. Deep discussions and exchanges were conducted, expressing high hopes for the training program, believing it will greatly benefit patients with liver disease in the Philippines.
This signing of the cooperation agreement represents a new beginning for CGHMC and Renji Hospital to work together to advance liver transplantation medical care in the Philippines. It symbolizes their commitment to healthcare services and research, aiming to provide better treatment and quality of life for patients. With the symposium held, both sides are confident in their future cooperation and look forward to achieving greater achievements together.
