Doctors attend ultrasound surgery workshop
Johannesburg – A group of doctors from 13 developing countries recently completed a China-sponsored ultrasound surgery training workshop in Johannesburg.
The workshop was co-organized by Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing High-tech Incubation Centre and South Africa’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital under the sponsorship of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and Technology Communication Centre.
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku congratulated the doctors for taking part in the training. “Ultrasound enables doctors to treat tumours without operation. We welcome the Chinese government partnership to share knowledge and how to deal with some of the challenges we face. We require more assistance in equipment and other things to save lives. We hope this cooperation will help us improve our service delivery,” said Masuku.
During the training, doctors learned basic principles of Focused Ultrasound Surgery and tried a series of ultrasound therapeutic devices with complete and independent Chinese intellectual property rights including the Haifu Focused Ultrasound Tumour Therapeutic System.
The doctors were issued course-completion certificates from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
South African delegate Dr Tshimane Tshepuwane said most patients had large myoma when they went to hospital for examinations, and almost half of them would have to remove their uterus because of no other choices. “Removal of the uterus imposes great impact on the physical and mental health of the women. Focused Ultrasound Surgery can improve the situation, reducing surgical operations and relieving the tension of lacking medical resources.”
Vice director of Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau Xiaoyun Mu said: “Chongqing Medical University has made the breakthrough in Focused Ultrasound Surgery in the first place.”
Since 2012 Chongqing Medical University has organized seven sessions of International Training Workshop on Ultrasound Therapy for Tumours in China, Egypt and South Africa.
Mu said the sessions have trained 149 doctors from about 40 countries including South Africa, Philippines, Egypt, Spain, India and Ghana.
