On the afternoon of July 29th, 2019, in Dominica, an emergency call from the Dominica China Friendship Hospital reached Wu Dexi, a cardiologist from the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (FAH-SYSU). Desperately, local staff hoped to get help from Chinese doctors.

Martin Charles, Dominica's Ambassador to China, who was then on a business trip in Dominica, was experiencing sudden discomfort.

Rushing to the hospital and having Charles' condition checked, Wu immediately diagnosed the patient with acute myocardial infarction. Charles was promptly sent to the ICU for treatment.

When ensuring that his condition was stabilized, Wu accompanied him to fly to Guangzhou, where he was treated with coronary intervention by Li Yi, Director of the Cardiology Unit II of the FAH-SYSU.?

Having recovered and being discharged from the hospital, Charles said, "I got sick in my home country and was very lucky to be treated by Dr. Wu, who gave me a second life."

Myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia are common in Dominica. Since arriving in Dominica in June 2019, Wu Dexi has treated over 5,000 cardiovascular patients over the past 3 years. Not only did he save people, but also bring medical technology to Dominica and nurture professionals there.

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Pioneer various medical techniques in Dominica, and cultivate local professionals

When a 73-year-old critically ill suffered from a very low heart rate, under severe medical conditions, Chinese doctor Wu Dexi and Dominica's cardiologist Rachel Andrew made history in Dominica by successfully implanting the first temporary pacemaker to save the patient's life.

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Wu Dexi and Dominica's cardiologist Rachel Andrew performing the first temporary pacemaker implantation in Dominica. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

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Aside from the first temporary pacemaker implantation in Dominica, Wu has also practiced the first elective cardioversion at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital.

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Practicing the first elective cardioversion in Dominica. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

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Moreover, Wu played an active role in donating to the local communities the medical equipment and materials urgently needed for cardiovascular departments with the help of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province. New apparatus has helped to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases for the local people in Dominica.

The first Cardiology Department in Dominica was officially opened on May 21st, 2021 at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. "We have taken a step ahead in our goal of developing a fully equipped Cardiology Unit," said Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, on his social media account.

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The first Cardiology Department in Dominica. (Photo provided to Newsgd.com)

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"Today 21st May 2021 we witnessed a milestone in our Healthcare System in Dominica. We are very grateful to our two Cardiologists: Dr. Wu from Chinese Medical Team and our Dominica Cardiologist Dr. Rachel Andrew. Their proactive and dedicated efforts will always be remembered." Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment of Dominica, posted on his social media platform.

Training local cardiovascular doctors is also one of Wu's priorities. In addition to cultivating local cardiovascular talents, Wu has been appointed as a tutor at the All Saints University School of Medicine, where he took the responsibility of teaching 11 medical students in their clinical apprenticeships.

In the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, Wu gave three lectures on cardiovascular topics, taught a total of over 30 medical staff members, and helped them to improve their expertise.

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More results to be expected in the China-Dominica friendship

Based on the 3-year working experience in the local community and the development need of local cardiovascular science, Wu proposed the idea of establishing the Dominica-China Cardiovascular Imaging Center.?

It is planned that FAH-SYSU will assist the Dominica China Friendship Hospital with a three-year aid program, featuring equipment donation, training for Dominica's doctors in China, Chinese experts giving guidance in Dominica, as well as online and offline academic exchanges, to improve and update both the knowledge and equipment of cardiovascular imaging in Dominica.

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Discussing hospital cooperation projects with Dominica's officials. (Photo provided to Newgd.com)

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The project is now in the preliminary stage of preparation. In the near future, technical cooperation in medical aid is expected to deliver more results and deepen the China-Dominica friendship.

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文/Hannah, Riz Zhang (intern)

報道鏈接：https://www.newsgd.com/node_99363c4f3b/3050919e90.shtml

報道時間：2022-10-28