South and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Service Alliance

The COVID-19 is still spreading around the world. In order to give full play to the important role ofSouth and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Service Alliance (SSAMESA) in promoting international cooperation in the fight against thepandemic, implementChinesePresident Xi’s calling of"Joininghands tobuild a community of common health for mankind", provide our assistance and share China’s successful experience and practices inpandemic containment, Kunming Medical University andShanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine convened a video conference on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19 on the afternoon of June 8, 2020. More than 100 medical experts from 13 universities and medical institutionsincludingBangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University of Bangladesh,National Academy of Medical Science Bir Hospital ofNepal,University of Health Sciences, Lahore,Pakistan,University of Health Sciences ofCambodia,Universitas Gadjah Mada ofIndonesia,Mahidol University andWalailak University of Thailand, to name a few, attended the video coneference.

Professor Li Song, President of Kunming Medical University, delivered a speech on behalf of theSecretariat of the Alliance, expressing cordial greetings to the participating universities and medical institutions. He said that thisvideo conference marked the beginning of cooperation in the alliance to fight against the COVID-19. In the future, wewould gather the wisdom of all memebers to carry out more exchanges and cooperation in various forms.

Professor Hu Yiqun,DeputyDean of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, expressed greetings to the participants on behalf of Academician Chen Guoqiang,Dean of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. In his speech, he pointed out that Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicinewas willing to contribute wisdom, experience to the fight against the COVID-19 with SSAMESA members.

Prof. Mahmood Shaukat, Chairman of Corona Experts Advisory Committee of Pakistan andProf.Javed Akram, Vice Chancellor ofLahore University of Health Sciences of Pakistanhighly praised China’s important contribution to the international community incombatingtheCOVID-19.They expressed their thankfullness to medical experts for sharing experience and believed thatlearning from China would be conducive to the pandemiccontainment in Pakistan.

Prof.Shafdin Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University of Bangladesh,said that this webinar was of great significance and the Chineseexperiencewill help Bangladeshtofightagainstthepandemic.

Assco. Prof. Prapat Wanitpongpan, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University of Thailandexpressed his gratitude for theconvening of the conference. He believed that the valuable experience and work suggestions of Chinese medical expertswould have a positive impact on Thailand'sPandemiccontainment.

Prof.CHENErzhen, Vice President of Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine made apresentationtitled "COVID-19 emergency preparedness - the practice in wuhan". He introducedthatthe key to win the war in the prevention and control is tomanage and allocate medical equipment, emergency supplies, medical staff and other resources, improve the hospital facilities, promote the coordination between different professional medical staff.Prof. XIE Qing, Director, Department of infection, Ruijin Hospital introduced in detail the clinical manifestations and corresponding prevention and control methods of COVID-19 from three aspects: diagnosis, treatment and protection of medical staff. Professor Wang Kunhua, President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, made a special report onthe Hospital Experience in Dealing with the Outbreak. Hegave his presentation from five aspects: psychological preparation, space preparation, personnel preparation, material preparation and knowledge preparation; using 5G+ medical technology to carry out smart medical treatment;establishing a three-level prevention and control system. Prof. Zhang Wei, Deputy Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University,shared the diagnosis and treatment strategies and experience oftreatingsevere COVID-19 patients based on his work experience in Hubei province.

Duringfree discussion session, experts from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Thailand conducted enthusiastic exchanges on the prevention and control measures, virus research, nucleic acid testing, patient treatment and nursing.Prof. WANG Yuming, Director of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Ms.YAN Mei, Deputy Director of the Department of Nursing, the third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University attended the exchange and answered questions raised by participants.

The virus dose not respect borders. Nor is race or nationality relevant in face of the disease.Mankind is a community of shared destiny. Only by standing in unity can the international community overcome theCOVID-19. Since its establishment in 2019 initiatedby Kunming Medical University and Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, SSAMESA has always upheld the concept ofbuilding acommunity ofshared future for mankind and actively played the role of the Alliance. In the future, it will continue to strengthen the prevention and control of the COVID-19 among members of the Alliance.