Telemedicine Links Nyingchi and Hong Kong to Save Critically Ill Child
NYINGCHI – Using “Telemedicine+” technology, a collaborative effort between Nyingchi in Tibet and Hong Kong has successfully saved a child with a severe illness, spanning a distance of thousands of kilometers. This milestone also marks the first pediatric chest surgery performed in Nyingchi.
On March 19, a Tibetan girl arrived at the Nyingchi People’s Hospital for treatment. Doctors discovered that she had suddenly developed a severe lung abscess with pus accumulation, presenting a major challenge to the local medical team.
The Hong Kong Women’s and Children’s Hospital quickly stepped in to provide urgent care. Specialists from both regions conducted multiple rounds of remote, multidisciplinary consultations and established a timely surgical plan. Two experts were immediately sent from Hong Kong to assist in Nyingchi.
By April 1, the visiting specialists had arrived by plane and began treating the patient without delay. Despite challenges due to the child’s young age and the complexity of the abscess, the two medical teams coordinated closely and successfully performed the surgery.
The girl, having received a new lease on life, was joyfully seen dancing in the hospital before her discharge. Previously, such serious cases would have required transferring the patient to Lhasa or Chengdu—an arduous journey. This “team-based medical aid” model has significantly improved Nyingchi’s healthcare infrastructure, core skills, and specialist workforce, creating a strong foundation for life-saving care in the high-altitude region.
