Amid the celebration of the 24th anniversary of Macao’s return to China, a ceremony was held for the commencement of trial operation of the Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Center of PUMCH (hereinafter referred to as the Macao Medical Center of PUMCH , marking a new chapter in the development of Macao’s healthcare industry. The ceremony was co-officiated by Ho Iat Seng, the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR); Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Zheng Xincong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Lei Haichao, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission; Liu Xianfa, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Yu Changjiang, commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Macao SAR; Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR; Academician Zhao Yupei, Honorary President of PUMCH and President of the Strategic Development Committee of the Macao Union Hospital; and Zhang Shuyang, member of the Strategic Development Committee and President of PUMCH. Guests from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and other regions, as well as major officials from the Macao SAR government, representatives of local medical and academic institutions, and associations, also attended the ceremony.
At 11 a.m., the trial operation commencement ceremony of the Macao Medical Center of PUMCH was held in the first-floor lobby of the hospital. Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, Vice Minister Lei Haichao, President Zhao Yupei, and President Zhang Shuyang delivered speeches.
According to Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, next year will be the starting year for Macao to implement the “Development Plan for Appropriate Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-2028)”, which focuses on four key industries, including big health driven by the traditional Chinese medicine. It is therefore opportune to put the Macao Medical Center of PUMCH into trial operation. Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng emphasized that the new hospital should fully tap into the institutional advantages of “One Country, Two Systems” as well as the synergy between “healthcare + tourism”, gradually building up its influence and becoming a “regional medical center of China” at a faster pace.
Vice Minister Lei Haichao, on behalf of the National Health Commission, extended warm congratulations on the commencement of trial operations of the Macao Medical Center of PUMCH. For the new hospital, he put forward three expectations: First, stay anchored in Macao and relentlessly uphold the mission of serving Macao residents; second, generate synergy and promote higher-quality development of medical services in the region; third, leverage its advantages and bolster its global vision and international connectivity, establishing a strong presence as a Chinese brand in the international healthcare market.
Zhao Yupei extended sincere gratitude to all the friends from various sectors who had participated in, supported, and helped the building of the new hospital. He said that all members of the Strategic Development Committee and colleagues of the hospital would work hard and fulfill their duties; they would fully capitalize on the geographical and policy advantages of the Macao SAR and the branding power of PUMCH , working towards the strategic vision of “treating major diseases in Macao and reaching the Greater Bay Area, even Southeast Asia” and the ambitious goal of building the new hospital into a world-class medical center with international influence.
On behalf of PUMCH, President Zhang Shuyang also expressed warm congratulations. She stated that PUMCH would firmly comply with the Party requirements and keep doing things scientifically for the greater good, solidifying the foundation for the high-quality development of healthcare in Macao; PUMCH would continue to harness its collective strength to support the development of the new hospital, dispatch capable personnel to Macao according to actual needs, and do the utmost to run the new hospital well. The satisfactory results to be attained will be PUMCH’s tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland.
▲Group picture of Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng with other co-officiants
Afterwards, the guests, in three groups, visited various facilities of the hospital, including the operation rooms, radiation therapy center, health management center, and the wards of the international medical center. The PUMCH taskforce in Macao accompanied them and offered necessary explanations and introductions.
On the afternoon of December 19, Vice Minister Lei Haichao, among others, also visited the PUMCH taskforce in Macao. He encouraged the PUMCHers to commit themselves and keep in mind the necessity of serving “One Country, Two Systems” and better facilitating Macao’s integration into the overall national development out of the firm belief that what they do has not only immediate but also far-reaching influence and benefits.
▲Group picture of Vice Minister Lei Haichao, his colleagues and PUMCH medical staffers
On the same day, according to the written instructions of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR, Wu Wenming was appointed as the President of the Macao Medical Center of PUMCH.
Written by the Publicity Department
Pictures courtesy of the Government Information Bureau of the Macao SAR
Translated by Liu Haiyan
Reviewed by Wang Yao