Exploring Fresh Horizons for Health Collaboration through CPEC

China's recent bolstering of support to Pakistan in the healthcare sector to combat the COVID-19 pandemic has been a noteworthy development, as reported by Gwadar Pro. Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, the visionary behind the Health Corridor concept in 2017, believes this move could redefine China's image beyond its energy sector investments, opening up vast opportunities in medical education and medical tourism.

In the wake of this collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani institutions, the Health Corridor has been instrumental in introducing innovative measures such as telemedicine and virtual classrooms. This healthcare initiative primarily focuses on the exchange of medical knowledge, doctor training, and the establishment of key mechanisms like the Belt & Road Health Fund, Belt & Road Medical Force (BRMF), Silk Road Higher Medical Education Forum (SRHMEF), and the promotion of Medical Tourism (BRM).

Dr. Shahbaz, a seasoned surgeon and PhD scholar at Shandong University with over a decade of experience in China, envisions the China Pakistan Health Corridor (CPHC), a venture that could revolutionize healthcare facilities and infrastructure in both countries. He commends the proactive steps taken by the Chinese government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and sees this crisis as a unique opportunity for strengthened cooperation between China and Pakistan.

Dr. Shahbaz emphasizes the importance of continuous online interactions between the two nations, advocating for Chinese experts to mentor Pakistani doctors and for the digitalization of Pakistani hospitals. The establishment of Big Data centers in the top 20 hospitals is proposed, enabling efficient patient tracking and record-keeping. He envisions regular telemedicine sessions as a means to enhance medical collaboration.

Highlighting Pakistan's historical medical system influence from Britain, Dr. Shahbaz underscores the significance of collaboration between Pakistan and China in the medical sector. He cites the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) as a reputable entity that can benefit from this partnership, fostering greater public goodwill between the two nations.

Dr. Shahbaz acknowledges China's significant advancements in medical technology and the potential for Pakistan, a developing country facing resource constraints, to tap into this expertise. In a country where diagnostic labs and medical treatments can be costly, collaboration with Chinese medical firms is expected to alleviate the burden on Pakistan's healthcare system. This partnership will introduce healthy competition and provide the general populace with access to more affordable healthcare options.