On the chilly morning of October 24, in the vicinity of the People’s Hospital in Dingxi City, Gansu Province, a unique train stood quietly on the tracks. Adorned with vibrant rainbow patterns, this train is equipped with advanced ophthalmic equipment, consisting of a surgical unit, patient wards, a power generation vehicle, and a living quarters—it’s the “China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) Light of Hope Health Train.” Ophthalmic medical personnel from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University are here to provide free cataract surgeries to local residents in need.
On October 22, patients benefitting from the free cataract surgeries were seen disembarking from the Health Train. The first Health Train launched on July 1, 1997, traveling from Hong Kong to Fuyang in Anhui Province. Funded by donations from Hong Kong entrepreneurs and citizens, it has been staffed by excellent ophthalmic healthcare professionals from various locations on a rotating basis. Each stop lasts for three months, during which approximately 1,000 surgeries are performed. Over the past two decades, the Health Train has consistently offered free surgeries to cataract patients in remote areas of China, helping them regain their sight.
Early in the morning, Nurse Li Huifang, head of the ophthalmology ward from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, rose early from her sleeping quarters on the train. After a quick wash and a simple breakfast, she opened the train door, ready to embrace another busy day. For nearly three months, the medical staff here have been living and working on the train, adapting to this unique mobile lifestyle.
“Today, we have 14 patients from Min County, Dingxi City, who have been screened at the base hospital and sent here for surgery,” Li explained. Many patients’ children work away from home, and these individuals often lack awareness about medical care or routine check-ups. Many suffer from hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and other cardiovascular issues without even knowing it. Poor sanitary conditions and frequent chronic eye inflammation sometimes complicate surgeries. “Over the past three months, the average age of our surgical patients is over 70, with the oldest being 92 years old,” she noted.
Elderly cataract patient Wang Ming expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m almost 80. I’ve gotten used to not seeing well, and the doctors told me it’s cataracts. My family’s situation is tough, and I never thought about surgery. Thankfully, I was able to take advantage of this free treatment. I’m very thankful to the doctors, nurses, and volunteers.”
Healthcare professionals from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University performed pre-operative examinations for patients, as the Health Train initiative plays a vital role in combating blindness. Supported by Sinopec and compassionate individuals, the project has been significantly impactful. According to Hu Meiqi, a member and deputy director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center of the National Health Commission, “This cooperative model guarantees not only medical facilities and personnel but also receives official support and guidance for effective management, allowing us to efficiently serve patients with eye diseases in remote areas.”
Zhou Quansheng, a level-three coordinator from Sinopec’s brand office, shared that the Health Train has visited Gansu Province 11 times in total, with the “Light of Hope Health Train” making three trips, helping 3,904 cataract patients in places like Dingxi and Linxia regain their sight. A cataract treatment center has also been established in Dingxi, leaving a permanent “train hospital” for the local community.
The Health Train symbolizes the deep bond Hong Kong compatriots share with the mainland, bringing a sense of care that transcends mountains and seas to patients in remote areas. Senior consultant Zhang Xinfeng from the China Health Train Foundation remarked, “Now the Health Train has crossed borders, and we hope it will benefit even more people.”
