The morning of December 7 saw the 2016 awarding ceremony of the Chinese Foundation for Lifeline Express held in Beijing. Our hospital received the “Light Giver Award” for its distinguished contribution to the “diabetic retinopathy screening program”. Our medical team—Dong Fangtian, Zhang Shunhua, Yu Weihong, Zhang Zhiqiao, Zhao Chan, Wang Yiyi and Wang Fei—received the “Light Angel Award” for their performance at the Sri Lanka leg of “2016 Lifeline Express International Journey to Light”. Yu Weihong, Zhang Xia and Zhou Lijia received the title of “2016 Excellent Volunteer” for their service in remote areas of China.

Lifeline Express started in April 2014 its (first stage) trial program of diabetic retinopathy screening which, during two years, examined 17,000 patients. It reported 28.17% level 1-level 3 patients, including 2.14% level 3 (serious) patients. As one of the four “central image reading and assessment centers” in China, our hospital performed the tasks of training on image reading and consultation on complicated cases.

In November 2016, we sent out a seven-people medical team to Sri Lanka to perform cataract surgeries on local patients. So far more than 500 operations have been successfully carried out.

By Fu Tanping