BEIJING, June 1: "The medical cooperation we have done with Pakistan is non-governmental. When the epidemic is over, efforts should be made to promote medical cooperation in technological innovation on the government level,” said Li Dinggang, executive president of medicine of Beijing Lu Daopei Hematology Hospital.

"I hope that the Chinese technologies will benefit our Pakistani friends, and then be extended to other countries along the Belt and Road, " he added accoding to a report published by China Economic Net (CEN).

"In 2004, China approved the world's first gene medicine for the treatment of malignant tumors, which can be used to treat advanced-stage cancers. This news caused a global sensation at the time.

A large number of foreign patients came to China for medicine. Some people who couldn't go to China invited Chinese doctors to come to their country for a consultation. I had the honor to participate in the preliminary research and development of gene medicine." Li Dinggang said.

In 2006, a Pakistani patient with advanced-stage ovarian cancer saw media reports and contacted Li Dinggang with the help of her Chinese friend. That consultation was his first visit to Pakistan.

“When I applied for a Pakistani visa. The visa officer knew that I was going to visit a Pakistan patient and said that he would give me a visa immediately. There was no visa fee.

The officer told me that China and Pakistan made a mutual exemption of visa fees in the era of Chairman Mao.” Li Dinggang was deeply impressed by the sincerity and enthusiasm of Pakistani friends.

“During my stay in Pakistan, the hotel attendant cleaned up my room. I wanted to tip him, but he refused. I insisted, so he went to his manager, who told me that they don't charge tips from Chinese friends.”

In September 2011, Li Dinggang received a Pakistani oncologist Dr. Mobashir Bhatti in Beijing. They reached an international cooperation intention that Pakistan can send patients from South Asia and the Middle East to Beijing Yanhua Hospital for treatment. "I have treated several Pakistani patients in China. One was a patient with ovarian cancer who came to China twice.

After using gene therapy drugs with Chinese medicine and hyperthermia, her ascites and cancer cell metastasis were well controlled. She used to be very thin and had been losing weight drastically, she was slowly gaining weight after the treatment."

In 2014, Li Dinggang went to Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan and got in touch with the Pakistan government. “Under the guidance of Pakistani doctor friends, we conducted several exchange lectures on China's genetic technology and biotechnology.

The entire venue was full. Pakistani doctors' eagerness for knowledge was moving. They hope that we can help them build gene therapy center in Pakistan. At that time, we also signed a memorandum of cooperation, promising to train them in China's genetic technology.”

“My Pakistani doctor friend Mobashir Bhatti asked me to go to Pakistan again in 2019. He said that there were some new cooperation opportunities in Pakistan and he wanted to introduce China's advanced technologies of genetic testing, gene cell therapy and immunotherapy. But the epidemic broke out before the itinerary was arranged.”Li Dinggang feels pity about that.

“This year is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, we will continue to promote our friendly cooperation between China and Pakistan. As a doctor, I hope that we can build a bridge for international medical cooperation between China and Pakistan and benefit more Pakistani friends.”he said.

Credits: INP-WealthPk