Aseefa Bhutto Praises Chinese Doctors, Proposes Pediatric Cardiology Partnership
First Lady of Pakistan, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, has praised the dedication and compassion of Chinese medical professionals for their vital role in saving the lives of Pakistani children suffering from congenital heart disease.
Speaking at the Mid-Autumn Celebration titled “A Shared Beaming Moon, All United Hearts and Hands,” hosted at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Aseefa Bhutto highlighted the deep humanitarian bond between Pakistan and China. She said the lives of children saved by Chinese doctors are a testament to the friendship that transforms goodwill into meaningful action.
“The compassion shown by China defines our relationship,” she noted, adding that the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolises harmony, unity, and shared prosperity — values that continue to guide both nations.
P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor
During the event, attended by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, the First Lady expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prof Dr Pan Xiangbin and his team from Fuwai Hospital for their outstanding humanitarian work. She proposed forming a bilateral pediatric cardiology partnership that would include joint surgical missions, structured medical training, and a telemedicine network linking Pakistan’s NICVD and AFIC with China’s Fuwai Hospital for real-time consultations and collaborative research.
Aseefa Bhutto also suggested launching an annual fellowship programme for Pakistani specialists to train in pediatric cardiology and surgery in China. Furthermore, she envisioned a Joint Pakistan–China Centre of Excellence for Pediatric Cardiac Care — a long-term initiative aimed at providing world-class treatment to children in Pakistan.
Recalling the vision of her mother, Benazir Bhutto, she reiterated that “health is not a privilege but a basic right of every individual.” She acknowledged Pakistan’s NICVD and Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences as shining examples of equitable healthcare access.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong praised the enduring friendship between the two countries and honoured Dr Pan Xiangbin for his exceptional service despite harsh conditions. He remarked that, according to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates unity, happiness, and family — a reflection of the shared spirit between both nations.
Parents and children who had received treatment in China shared emotional testimonies of gratitude, expressing how Chinese doctors had given their children a new lease on life. Addressing the audience online, Dr Pan Xiangbin emphasised that this partnership transcends medical treatment — “it is also a form of spiritual healing,” he said.