From November 2-3, 2024, the 7th National Neonatal Network Conference was successfully held in Lanzhou, attracting approximately 300 participants, including representatives from county and prefecture program hospitals and neonatal healthcare staff from Gansu Province. With support from Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital and co-sponsorship from Ningbo David Medical Device Co., Ltd., the conference marks a significant step in advancing neonatal care across China.
Mr. Alex NG, Chairman of the Children’s Medical Foundation, in his opening remarks, emphasized the foundation’s “Every Baby Rescued” program, which aims to strengthen neonatal healthcare in 34 cities across 13 provinces and municipalities, reaching 64 counties. “Every second counts for newborns with severe asphyxia,” he remarked, underscoring the critical role of neonatal resuscitation training in reducing long-term complications. The project, he noted, goes beyond treatment, focusing on ensuring a better quality of life for every newborn.
Mr. C.C. TUNG, a founding member of the foundation, joining the conference online, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to supporting underserved rural families, particularly in neonatal care. Through programs, he highlighted the foundation’s ongoing efforts to bring international expertise to China’s central and western regions, aiming to improve child health and give every child a healthier start.
Ms. Liu Jingru, China Chief Representative of the Children’s Medical Foundation, presented the progress of the “Every Baby Rescued” program in Gansu Province. She shared updates on the recent NICU upgrades in Longnan, Tianshui, and Pingliang, where 12 medical staff have undergone intensive training at the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University. Furthermore, Prof. Chen Chao’s team from the same hospital conducted a needs assessment in August for the next phase, which will expand to Linxia, Dingxi, Baiyin, and Zhangye. This phase includes a six-month training program designed to establish neonatal care infrastructure across six regions in Gansu and 36 county-level hospitals.
Research presented at the conference showed that hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a leading cause of infant mortality and long-term disability. Improving survival rates and neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants affected by HIE is crucial for public health. The conference brought together experts from National Children’s Medical Center and National Children’s Medical Center South Central Region, and international specialists from the United States and Canada. Focusing on “Neonatal Resuscitation and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy,” these experts engaged in in-depth discussions, promoting knowledge exchange and strengthening collaboration between Chinese and international hospitals.
Following the conference, participants toured the neonatal department at Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital. The tour highlighted the hospital’s cutting-edge facilities, specialized medical team, and innovative treatment methods, offering insights into the hospital’s accomplishments and neonatal care advancements.
At the conference’s closing ceremony, Mr. Alex NG and Ms. Estella HUANG LUNG, CEO of the Children’s Medical Foundation, presented honorary awards to representatives from Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital and Ningbo David Medical Device Co., Ltd. The awards celebrated the dedicated support of these institutions and reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing neonatal healthcare across China.
