The BMDAC signs a cooperation agreement with the Meizhou People's Hospital. (PHOTO: Meizhou People's Hospital)

By ZONG Shihan

On October 26, a medical team from the Bethune Medical Development Association of Canada (BMDAC) arrived at the Meizhou People's Hospital in Guangdong province to engage in in-depth academic exchanges and signed an agreement to jointly establish a technical cooperation hospital. It is first time to start its China tour after a three-year hiatus.

The BMDAC was founded in Toronto in 2011 to carry forward Bethune’s spirit though medical exchanges between China and Canada. It  has organized 19 trips to China for medical experts from Canada to offer free medical consultations. They treated more than 1,000 patients, undertook more than 500 surgeries, and gave more than 600 academic lectures.

Dr. Lee Errett, president and founder of the BMDAC, said the association will continue to promote medical research exchanges between China and Canada and contribute to jointly addressing global challenges.

This time, the BMDAC experts are conducting medical exchanges with more than 20 hospitals in 12 provinces. Geng Junwu, director of the Foreign Experts Working Group of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said the cooperation has promoted talent and technological exchange between the two countries, and helped more people benefit from medical innovations.

The BMDAC has deepened its cooperation with China through borderless medical technology, facilitating the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.Zhao Liang, deputy director of the Office of Overseas Institutions of China Association for International Talent Exchange of Personnel, said China will continue to promote better cooperation with other countries in science and technology, education and healthcare.

Lao Zhihong, director general of the Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of Guangdong Province,  said more foreign experts and international friends are welcome to participate in Chinese modernization in the province. Zhong Weiji, secondary inspector of the Meizhou Municipal People's Government, said the cooperation with the BMDAC will promote progress of Meizhou's medical industry. Zhong Zhixiong, president of the Meizhou People's Hospital, said it will help the hospital build a higher-level medical talent training platform.

The BMDAC delegation also visited cultural landmarks in Meizhou, such as the Hakka Museum dedicated to the Hakka ethnic group, and the Marshal Ye Jianying Memorial Park in Meizhou, getting to know the Chinese culture and history.

"Through these activities, the more I learn about China, the more I appreciate it," Errett said.