Intensive Training for International Doctors in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Beijing

In June, despite the air conditioning working hard to combat the oppressive heat, doctors at a simulation center in Beijing were visibly sweating. Among them was Mustafa Ahmed Haridy Abdellah, a 35-year-old Egyptian physician, who skillfully maneuvered an endoscope through the digestive system of a pig to locate a cancerous lesion. He had recently taken over the procedure from his Russian colleague, Sergei Skupchenko, who originally inserted the endoscope. As Abdellah identified the malignant tissue through a live feed, he meticulously removed the infected portion with great care, earning applause from the observing medical professionals once he finished the procedure and submitted a specimen.

Abdellah noted that reaching Beijing took an extensive journey, as he traveled from Egypt via train to Cairo, followed by flights with layovers, culminating in a total travel time of 40 hours. However, he felt the long trip was worthwhile, motivated by the opportunity to enhance his medical skills. Participating in this program, he expressed enthusiasm for the hands-on training and educational interactions with his fellow doctors and team members.

The seminar was part of a five-day intensive training session from June 9 to June 13, designed for 16 physicians representing six different countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, including nations like Iran, Portugal, and Thailand. This marked the seventh Belt and Road International Advanced Gastrointestinal Endoscopology Seminar, which focused on gastrointestinal endoscopy—an important minimally invasive procedure that enables medical professionals to investigate and address various disorders of the digestive tract, including early-stage cancers.

Hosted by the Beijing Friendship Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, along with the National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases and the Shenzhen-based company SonoScape, the program aimed to elevate the skills of both novice and experienced endoscopists. Zhang Shutian, the president of the hospital, highlighted that the training involved a progression from computer-based simulations to practical animal-based applications and clinical scenarios. With limited slots available, the program ensured a hands-on experience for each participant, emphasizing the goal of enhancing proficiency in endoscopic techniques.