The Chinese delegation of the China and Central-Eastern Europe Hospital Cooperation Alliance (China CEEC) has recently arrived in Hungary for a two-day visit. In the framework of the visit a conference was being held, during which four Hungarian hospitals have joined the alliance. The Co-Chairman of China CEEC, Prof. Zhao Yu-Pei has received the Pro Universitate Award of Semmelweis University.
“The China and Central-Eastern Europe Hospital Cooperation Alliance was founded two months ago in Suzhou on the occasion of a ministerial level meeting. During this event China and 16 Central-European countries were represented. There is an enormous opportunity in this alliance, since China is the largest country in the world that makes huge investments in health industry and health care. The main characteristics of the Chinese health care system are represented in a strong integration and the establishment of large hospitals, which serve as the basis of an efficient cooperation. The European countries of the region are given the opportunity to learn in this respect from the Chinese partner, moreover, the members of the alliance could share and receive their best practice. Please allow me to give you an example. The high level research done in Hungary can be connected to our Chinese partner’s high ability in doing innovation. In the long run this alliance will enable the integration and the mutual respect of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the evidence-based Western-European medicine.”, said Dr. Béla Merkely, Co-Chairman of China CEEC Alliance and Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs at Semmelweis University.
During the conference held at the Senate Hall of Semmelweis University, Prof. Zhao Yu-Pei, the Chinese Co-Chairman of the alliance expressed his appreciation regarding the rapid progress done in the common work as well as in the strengthening of the collaborative efforts, right after the foundation of the alliance. He informed the audience that the Chinese delegation is visiting three countries in the region and the first stop of the visit is Hungary. The delegation had a meeting with the leaders of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, with whom they had negotiations about cooperation in commonly identified areas.
“The collaboration between China and the Central-Eastern European countries has been operating since 2012 with continuously growing results in the development of economic, investment, financial and personal relations. There are good opportunities in health care as well, and the aim of the new alliance is to improve the service management of health care and the cooperation in the areas of medical technologies, staff exchange, professional training and science. The medical training of physicians is excellent in Hungary, Hungarian medical doctors are well-known and respected all around in Europe, and the exchange programmes between countries serve the interests of citizens.”, expressed the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Duang Jielong.
During the conference Bence Rétvári, State Minister for Parliament at the Ministry of Human Capacities addressed the audience: “The Hungarian Government declared its policy of Eastern Opening (Keleti Nyitás) in 2010. The economic cooperation with China has been working well, and the collaboration is extending better and better in the area of tourism and culture as well. The Hungarian Government considers the development in health care, patient care and health industry equally important, that is why it supports such endeavours. There are many opportunities for a possible cooperation, such as in the area of health tourism, research-development, quality insurance, technology as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine. The government is proud of the fact that the alliance is led on the European side by a Hungarian Co-Chairman, Dr. Béla Merkely.” He also announced that in 2017 June Budapest will host the next meeting of health ministers of China and Central-European countries.
In the framework of the conference four Hungarian hospitals, who have recently joined the alliance, received their certificate of membership. The four new members are: Bács-Kiskun County Hospital, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Hospital and University Teaching Hospital, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Hospitals and University Teaching Hospitals and Uzsoki Hospital. Thus the number of Hungarian members within the alliance has increased to seven including the previously joined institutions: National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Bethesda Children’s Hospital and Semmelweis University.
During the conference Prof. Zhao Yu-Pei, Co-President of the China CEEC Alliance has received Pro Universitate Silver Award from Semmelweis University recognizing his contribution to the development of the relations between Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Semmelweis University. The award was handed over to Prof. Zhao Yu-Pei by Dr. Béla Merkely, who highlighted that Prof. Zhao Yu-Pei is the Chairman of the Committee of General Surgery, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Vice-President of Chinese Medical Association (CMA).
“Discussions and cooperation are very important for the sake of the reinforcement of a global health safety and security. A new phase has started in the cooperation with ministerial level meetings and the establishment of the Alliance. It is a great achievement that a Central-Eastern European Traditional Chinese Medicine, Educational and Research Centre Nonprofit Ltd. was founded in Hungary, and a new regulation was also issued by the Hungarian Government regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine.”, expressed Xue Xiao-lin, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese Hospital Alliance.
According to Dr. Mihály Svébis, Chairman of the Hungarian Hospital Alliance, with this cooperation invaluable opportunities open up, and it depends on the members how they fill it with content. Using the partnership, the members could gain a specific knowledge which could be used for the treatment of their patients.
During the conference the four Hungarian hospitals, who recently joined the alliance, were introduced. Afterwards the representatives of the Chinese hospitals attending the event presented their institutions. Discussions were held about medical herbs, research cooperation, opportunities for investment and about the forthcoming summit meeting of health ministers of 2017.
The day after the conference the Chinese delegation visited the Heart and Vascular Centre of Semmelweis University, as well as the National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences.
Pálma Dobozi
Photo: István Bielik
Translation: Katalin Romhányi
