On October 25th, the 11th Academic Conference on Plateau Medicine, organized by the Plateau Medicine Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, took place in Haidong City, Qinghai Province.

During the conference, experts in plateau medicine from various institutions, including Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital, the Military Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, the Army Medical University, and Capital Medical University, discussed a range of topics. These included “The Construction and Development of Plateau Medicine in China,” “The Development of a Smart Life Support Transfer Capsule,” “Plateau Medicine Development and Research at West China Hospital,” “The Mechanism of Acute Hypoxia in Reducing Cold Sensation and Core Temperature,” and “Applications of Technology in Active Health and Aging Population.”

Academician Wu Tianyi, a recipient of the “July 1 Medal,” emphasized the significance of the conference, stating that since the establishment of the Plateau Medicine Branch in 1987, ten academic meetings have been held. He noted, “Today, we are witnessing the best development period for plateau medicine in China, and this academic conference holds great importance.”

This event is part of a series commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Chinese Medical Association. Zhou Mingjian, the party secretary of the association, remarked that plateau medicine is a shining gem in the medical field, playing an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the health and well-being of people in plateau regions and promoting local socio-economic development. He stressed the need for keen insight and a scientific approach to delve deeper into the mysteries of plateau medicine.

Zhang Xuefei, the deputy director of the Qinghai Provincial Health Commission, shared that in recent years, Qinghai has significantly increased its investment in infrastructure, capacity building, and research projects. Over ten research institutions, including the Plateau Medicine Research Center and the Clinical Research Center for Plateau Diseases, have been established, resulting in a pool of experienced expert teams. Important research achievements have been made in areas such as acute and chronic plateau diseases, hypoxia adaptation, plateau nursing, and the prevention of infectious diseases like echinococcosis.

Zhang Qiang, the chairman of the Plateau Medicine Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, reflected on the 37-year journey of the branch. He highlighted the mission of plateau medicine professionals, like Academician Wu, to ensure the health of millions living in plateau areas. “Moving forward, we will identify the development direction and positioning of plateau medicine through organizational construction, strategic planning, team building, collaborative exchanges, resource integration, and joint efforts in tackling challenges. We aim to deepen cooperation and focus on academic research as we strive to reach new heights in medical science.”

The academic conference was co-hosted by the Plateau Medicine Branch of the Chinese Medical Association in partnership with the Qinghai Provincial Medical Association, the Qinghai Provincial Plateau Medicine Branch, Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital, and Haidong City Second People’s Hospital.