China and Arab States unite for public health in HZ

Don’t be surprised if your doctor at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU), turns out to be from Egypt or another Arab country. That might become a normal part of your life in Hangzhou!

On July 9, 2025, the China-Arab States Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Public Health was officially launched at FAHZU.
Relying on FAHZU's strong public health resources, the Center will focus on building three major cooperation systems: talent development, medical collaboration, and scientific and technological partnerships. These systems aim to comprehensively deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as personnel training, medical technology, equipment, scientific research, and translational applications.
Following its establishment, joint research efforts will focus on key areas including infectious diseases, malignant tumors, neuropsychiatric disorders, elderly care, cardiovascular diseases, and critical care. A China-Arab vaccine innovation and R&D alliance will also be a priority.
The Center will respond to medical needs in Arab countries, showcase advanced Chinese medical technologies, establish a remote consultation network, and continuously receive outstanding physicians and senior healthcare managers from Arab institutions for training in China, offering international and customized healthcare services for patients with special needs.
The Center will leverage the synergy of Western and traditional Chinese medicine at the university and hospital, accelerate the transformation of interdisciplinary innovations in medical-engineering-informatics, and conduct targeted joint research aligned with major healthcare needs. Traditional Chinese medicine will be integrated into Belt and Road cooperation, and AI will empower public health management in Arab countries.
FAHZU has formed close ties with Arab countries through multiple exchanges and agreements. In June 2023, FAHZU signed a research cooperation agreement with Nahda University in Egypt. In November, 2023, it visited the Thumbay Hospital and Gulf Medical University in the UAE. In January 2024, senior officials from the UAE Ministry of Health and Dubai Health Authority visited FAHZU.
Prof. LIANG Tingbo, President of FAHZU and Director of the Center, said: “Indeed, even before the official launch, preliminary results had already been achieved. The launching marks a new stage of accelerated cooperation and expanded outcomes.”
"We are adopting a gradual, focused approach. The Arab League has 22 member states. We will prioritize countries with clear needs or existing ties for in-depth, comprehensive cooperation，" he added.
In 2025, FAHZU launched a customized, international-standard Workshop Program for Arab medical talents. Governments and universities from Egypt, Algeria, and Mauritania have sent multiple letters to arrange training sessions.
In May 2025, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population sent the first cohort of five trainees to FAHZU’s Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. Doctors from Egypt and Mauritania will arrive soon for further training sessions.
Dr. Ali Hussein Ali Khed, representative of the first trainees and Deputy Director of the National Hepatology & Tropical Medicine Research Institute of the Arab Republic of Egypt, told Hangzhoufeel that he had completed several weeks of clinical observation at FAHZU.
During his stay, he observed advanced surgeries including lung transplants, hepatobiliary procedures, and bariatric surgeries, especially those involving robotic and laparoscopic technologies. He hopes to bring these techniques back to Egypt to benefit local patients.
He also praised FAHZU's clinical trials in oncology, particularly in vaccine therapies, and the hospital’s teamwork and operational efficiency, noting that FAHZU performs four to five liver transplants daily — a testament to its exceptional capacity and resources.
Source:Hangzhoufeel