Author: Gong Yuxi

Translated by: Wu Xia

On March 28, an international video conference on the diagnosis and treatment of the COVID19 epidemic between China and Africa was held at the "Internet Hospital" of Wuhan University Renmin Hospital. Medical professionals from Kenya and Tanzania connected with Chinese medical professionals and conducted active exchanges and discussions.

With the effective control of the COVID19 epidemic in China and the spread of the epidemic in Africa, Wuhan's prevention and control experience is increasingly being watched and learned by countries around the world. Dr Mohamed Salim (Salim) who has studied and lived in Wuhan University for 12 years and obtained a master's and doctoral degree from Wuhan University's First Clinical School is currently an physiologist and interventional physiciadoctor in Aga Khan Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city. He quickly contacted the guiding professor of his master's degree, Professor Tang Qizhu, Vice President of Wuhan University. Entrusted by Vice President Tang Qizhu, Renmin Hospital was invited to hold academic exchange activities.

According to CCTV news reports, the Kenyan Ministry of Health released news on March 28 local time that 7 new cases of coronavirus pneumonia were confirmed. At present, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Kenya has increased from 31 to 38, with a total of 1 death and 1 recovery. There are 36 existing cases. On March 28, the Minister of Health of Zanzibar, Tanzania announced an additional confirmed case of COVId19. At present, there are a total of 3 confirmed cases on Zanzibar Island, and a total of 14 confirmed cases nationwide in Tanzania.

At 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on the 28th (9:00 am to 11:00 am on the 28th, Kenya time), an online video conference was held with over 75 participants. Dr. Hemed Twahir, Dean of Aga Khan Hospital in Mombasa City, Dr. Swaleh Misfar, Director of Cardiology, Professor Nasirrudin Jamal, Director of Cardiology, and doctors in Cardiology, General Medicine, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Intensive Medicine, Administration joined the meeting. Professor Wei Jie, Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Department of Critical Care Medicine, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Professor Yu Zhui, Deputy Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Zhao Yang, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shared the diagnosis and treatment of COVID19. Alumni of Wuhan University, physiologist and interventionist Dr. Mohamed Salim, organized and hosted this international video seminar.

After the meeting, the staff of Renmin Hospital “Internet Hospital” sent a full 2-hour screen recording of the meeting to Salim, the organizer of the conference. African counterparts are grateful for the experience sharing and guiding opinions given by Chinese experts, expressed that they will be used immediately in clinical work, and proposed to communicate at any time through WeChat groups and emails.

The virus has no national borders and can only be defeated by cooperating with the international community. China and Africa are good friends, partners, and brothers. Both sides have always supported and helped each other. With the development of the global epidemic prevention situation, the hospital will continue to organize a team of experienced experts in epidemic prevention to connect with overseas medical institutions and peers, share the experience of diagnosis and treatment, and help fight the global fight against COVID19.