In rural China, the most important factors limiting disadvantaged populations from getting proper health care are their limited access to the medical system and the high cost. To help reduce this barrier to receiving care, Give2Asia’s Rural Doctors Program aims to equip rural doctors across China with knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This will increase the diagnosis and treatment options available to doctors while reducing the risk of rural families returning to poverty due to illness.
This program is funded by Give2Asia and implemented by China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (CFFPD). With the joint support of Dr. Xiao Xiangru’s TCM team, and the Health Commission of Lüliang, this program will provide TCM knowledge and skill training for about 500 rural doctors in Lüliang. The program will then continue in rural areas of Guizhou, Chongqing, Fujian, and other provinces and cities.
The signing ceremony (photo courtesy of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development)
On July 15, 2021, the Rural Doctors Program officially began with a signing ceremony and kick-off event in Lüliang, Shanxi, China. At the event, guests including Mr. Lin Songtian, the Chairman of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Ms. Carol Yang, the Chief Representative of Give2Asia’s China Representative Office (CRO); Mr. Zhang Guangyong, the Mayor of Lüliang; Mr. Wang Longshe, the Secretary General of CFFPD; and Dr. Xiao Xiangru attended and gave speeches. Other community leaders of Lüliang and many local doctors also joined the ceremony.
Lin Songtian delivering a speech at the kickoff event (photo courtesy of China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development)
At the event, Mr. Lin Songtian expressed his gratitude to Give2Asia and CFFPD to fully leverage the non-governmental diplomatic resources to support the rural health business of Lüliang. Ms. Carol Yang mentioned that TCM is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to protect the health of rural populations. Thanks to Dr. Xiao Xiangru’s enlightenment and support, CFFPD’s efficient implementation, and the strong support of Lüliang’s government departments, she expected that this program could help more rural doctors in Lüliang to master TCM knowledge to safeguard the people’s health.
Carol Yang speaking at the kickoff event
赠与亚洲旗舰项目——乡村医生中医培训项目正式落地山西吕梁
2021年7月15日，赠与亚洲乡村医生中医培训项目在山西省吕梁市正式落地并举行签约仪式。该项目由赠与亚洲出资，中国友好和平发展基金会作为执行方，联合肖相如医生中医团队和吕梁市卫生健康委，将在一年时间内，为吕梁市的约500名乡村医生培训中医知识和诊疗技能。
签约仪式（图片来自中国友好和平发展基金会）
签约仪式上，赠与亚洲北京代表处业务主管单位中国人民对外友好协会会长林松添、赠与亚洲副总裁及中国首席代表杨小青、吕梁市市长张广勇、中国友好和平发展基金会秘书长王龙社、中医专家肖相如出席了仪式并发表讲话。同时参与的还有吕梁市各相关领导及医生代表等。
林松添发表讲话（图片来自中国友好和平发展基金会）
中国人民对外友好协会会长林松添表示，感谢赠与亚洲与中国友好和平发展基金会，充分发挥民间外交资源，为吕梁乡村健康产业发展做出支持。赠与亚洲副总裁及中国首席代表杨小青也在仪式上提到，中医中药在广大乡村地区是最实惠而有效的守护百姓的手段之一，感谢肖相如医生对项目的启发和支持，感谢中国友好和平发展基金会高效的执行力和吕梁政府的大力支持，期待项目能够让更多吕梁的乡村医生掌握中医知识，守护村民健康。
杨小青发表讲话
在中国乡村，不够发达的诊疗水平和高昂的医疗费用使很多乡村困难家庭无法获得适当的医疗。赠与亚洲乡村医生中医培训项目携手中国友好和平发展基金会、深圳市恒晖公益基金会及中医专家肖相如医生团队，旨在在中国范围内甄选乡村基层医生，通过线上授课和线下辅导结合的方式，为其提升中医技能和诊疗能力，从而助力中国乡村振兴，缓解乡村因病致贫、因病返贫的问题。该项目接下来将继续在贵州、重庆、福建等地开展，传递中医的薪火。