[China’s Two Sessions] Gu Jin: A Privilege to Serve
Mar 15, 2022
Peking University, March 15, 2022: Dr. Gu Jin is the Chief Physician of Peking University Cancer Hospital, President of the Peking University Shougang Hospital, and a representative of the National People’s Congress. As a healthcare worker, he has always been concerned about the health of the people.
Dr. Gu at the Fifth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress
Recounting his experience over the past 4 years, Dr. Gu reflected that forming medical consortiums is essential in promoting a more efficient healthcare system. There are four community health service centers and five community health service stations affiliated to Shougang Hospital, where he is currently stationed at. This medical consortium allows community health service staff to be deployed directly from tertiary hospitals, and community hospitals encountering a shortage of medical supplies to be supported by tertiary hospitals.
For years, Dr. Gu has been seeking to promote medical consortiums through policy reforms. In the same vein, Dr. Gu believes the most important factor in these consortiums is an effective communication channel that promotes sharing and syncing of information. He has led reforms to promote the down streaming of medical experts and academic knowledge to lower levels of the healthcare system.
In his experience as an oncology surgeon who has treated many patients, Dr. Gu found that many hospitals were reluctant to accept patients with advanced tumors. This motivated him to start promoting palliative care. He has called for the establishment of palliative care centers in hospitals, so that patients can live out the last days and months of their lives with dignity and companionship. Beyond palliative care, he has also called for the medical insurance system to expand efforts in early screening. Dr. Gu has even advocated for primary and secondary schools to embark on “life education” for students, teaching them to respect life and death. These proposals have gained much traction.
“As a representative of the National People’s Congress, I have been granted a privilege by the people and the party. I should actively fulfill my duties, and they should be reflected in my work.” Not only is Dr. Gu an inspiration for the medical community, he is also a model citizen and an exemplary teacher.
Written by: Su Huangyi
Edited by: June Tan Rui Min
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
