VIENTIANE, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- An airplane hospital jointly developed by the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) recently arrived in the Lao capital Vientiane to carry out its first overseas public welfare medical mission.
The hospital, modified from a C909, a home-developed short-medium range turbofan regional aircraft, successfully completed its first on-board surgery on Tuesday.
Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou, accompanied by officials from relevant government departments, visited the "C909 Airplane Hospital" at Wattay International Airport on Tuesday.
Lao Minister of Health Baykham Khattiya said the medical initiative demonstrates a strong humanitarian spirit and underscores the effective cooperation between Laos and China in the healthcare sector. She noted that the project further enhances mutual understanding and deepens the friendship between the two peoples.
In her speech, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong described the airplane hospital as an innovative model of medical cooperation between the two countries, vividly demonstrating the spirit of the China-Laos community with a shared future.
She expressed hope that more livelihood-focused cooperation projects will take root and flourish across Laos, allowing the longstanding friendship between China and Laos to shine even more brightly in the new era.
A medical team from the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University arrived in Vientiane on Jan. 30 to provide free medical consultations and examinations. Out of 600 patients screened, nearly 50 were selected for surgery. They were scheduled to undergo procedures either aboard the airplane hospital or at local hospitals.
The "C909 Airplane Hospital" is the world's first aircraft-based hospital specializing in ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and related medical procedures. The aircraft is equipped with advanced medical facilities, including ophthalmic surgical microscopes, ENT Endoscopes, and digital diagnostic and treatment systems. ■