In order to promote the regional exchange and cooperation of high altitude medicine and comprehensively enhance the disciplinary influence of regional medical institutions, the “Inaugural Meeting of the Regional Joint Special Committee on High Altitude Medicine of Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association”, sponsored by Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association (“SCIMEA”), was successfully held in Chengdu Tibet Hotel on October 16, 2021.

More than 100 experts in the field of high altitude medicine from inside and outside Sichuan Province, including President Kong Qingquan of Tibet Chengban Branch of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Secretary General Zhang Mengfan of SCIMEA, Deputy Director Lin Yunfeng of West China Medical Center of Sichuan University, Director Liu Jiaxin of Institute of Blood Transfusion of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Vice President Song Zhenlei of West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Secretary Shi Rui of Garze People’s Hospital, and Prof. Zhou Bin of West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, attended the meeting. 

The scene of the inaugural meeting

The meeting started with a report on the preparatory work of the Committee by Prof. Kong Qingquan, one of the initiators of the Regional Joint Special Committee on High Altitude Medicine of SCIMEA. Prof. Kong Qingquan expressed that there are still many limitations in the research of high altitude medicine in Sichuan and Tibet provinces, and he hoped that the Committee could fill the gap in this field in the province and promote the further development of this discipline from multiple dimensions.

President Kong Qingquan of Tibet Chengban Branch of West China Hospital of Sichuan University delivers a report on the preparatory work.

Later, Tong Yubo, Director of Academic Conference Affairs Department of SCIMEA, organized the election of the Committee and read out the results. President Kong Qingquan of Tibet Chengban Branch of West China Hospital of Sichuan University was elected as chairman of the Committee, 15 experts including Chen Lei the deputy chairmen, 42 experts including Buchi as members of the standing committee, 150 experts including Zhang Li as members, and 3 people including Li Xiaosi as secretaries.

Secretary General Zhang Mengfan read out the “Approval for the Establishment of Regional Joint Special Committee on High Altitude Medicine of Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association”, and issued the approval for the establishment and letter of appointment to the newly-elected chairman Prof. Kong Qingquan.

Secretary General Zhang Mengfan issues the approval for the establishment and letter of appointment to the Chairman Prof. Kong Qingquan.

Secretary General Zhang Mengfan and the new chairman issue the letters of appointment to the deputy chairmen.

Prof. Kong Qingquan and the deputy chairmen issue the letters of appointment to the newly-elected members of the standing committee.

Prof. Kong Qingquan issues the letters of appointment to the secretaries of the Committee. 

Prof. Qingquan Kong, the newly elected chairman of the Regional Joint Special Committee on High Altitude Medicine, spoke on behalf of all members of the Committee. He noted that, although the members have different professional backgrounds and are in different fields and geographical regions, they will actively carry out interdisciplinary, cross-field and cross-regional exchanges and cooperation through the platform built by the Committee. He also believed that such a way will effectively promote the high-quality research of high altitude medicine. 

Prof. Qingquan Kong, Chairman of the Regional Joint Special Committee on High Altitude Medicine of SCIMEA, delivers a speech on behalf of all members.

At the end of the inaugural meeting, Ms. Zhang Mengfan said that the Committee has gathered top experts in high altitude medicine research in Sichuan and Tibet, and SCIMEA is willing to work with all experts to build various platforms for high altitude medicine exchange and research to improve the research and prevention of high altitude diseases in the region, in response to the problems of insufficient basic research on high altitude diseases and inadequate exploitation of traditional medicine (Tibetan medicine).

Ms. Zhang Mengfan, Secretary General of SCIMEA, delivers a speech.

Group photo of all members