Warmhearted hospital puts patient care first

Wuhan-based medical establishment wins awards and public goodwill for pioneering service

Jiang Zhi, a primary school teacher from Wuhan, Hubei province, shared her five-year battle against illness at a conference hosted by Wuhan No 1 Hospital in late June.

The event was held to commemorate the 104th anniversary of the Communist Party of China and bolster the hospital's brand as a warmhearted hospital in Wuhan.

Also known as the Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the hospital played a crucial role in Jiang's journey through breast cancer, which she eloquently described as a transition "from being warmly treated by others to passing the warmth to more people".

Over the course of five years, Jiang underwent a radical mastectomy, endured six rounds of chemotherapy and underwent 25 sessions of radiotherapy. Throughout this challenging period, it was the hospital's "family-like" care that provided her solace and support. Inspired by this experience, Jiang has dedicated the past two years to volunteering and assisting other breast cancer patients in their own battles.

Jiang's journey serves as a poignant illustration of the hospital's commitment to brand building. Since 2018, the hospital's Party committee has embraced the principles of Party building to propel high-quality development, with a strategic focus on four key areas: conceptual innovation, technological advancement, service enhancement, and management refinement.

Central to this endeavor has been the seamless integration of "warmth" throughout medical services. Through the implementation of 200 targeted measures and the identification and rectification of 32 items on the "negative list", the hospital has addressed long-standing issues and elevated the quality of care provided.

Over the past six years, the tangible outcomes of the hospital's pursuit to become a warmhearted hospital in Wuhan have been substantial. Recognized as an exemplary case of grassroots ideological and political work in Wuhan, the hospital has garnered accolades and acclaim.

The Wuhan health commission has engaged with the hospital, organizing meetings for more than two consecutive years to glean insights from its brand-building initiatives.

In May, the 2025 National Public TCM Hospital Party Building Work Promotion Conference, hosted by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, commenced at the hospital.

Participants had the opportunity to explore exhibitions showcasing the hospital's strides in high-quality development and the exemplary practices that define a warmhearted hospital.

The hospital's commitment to an all-age friendly service system was showcased in the heartwarming celebration of patient surnamed Qin's 100th birthday in the general medical department ward. Such moments have become a regular occurrence in the hospital's compassionate environment.

Distinguished as one of the pioneer elderly-friendly medical institutions in Hubei, the hospital has implemented a comprehensive array of 14 aging-friendly initiatives. They encompass the establishment of dedicated elderly service points and specially designated seating in the outpatient department, prioritized examination scheduling for individuals aged 70 and above and the development of an elderly-friendly mode for its website, featuring functions like voice broadcasting and font enlargement.

In recognition of its commitment to pediatric care, the hospital was conferred with the prestigious title "municipal-level child-friendly hospital" in November 2024.

Its pediatrics department has introduced seven measures, including the establishment of a child healthcare center, the creation of specialized clinics for learning difficulties and the organization of a summer camp to treat children's obesity. Additionally, the department offers book corners tailored to children's ages.

"The elderly and children are the focus of people's livelihoods and we need to make medical services more warmhearted," said Wang Li, director of the hospital's nursing department.

She highlighted the hospital's proactive efforts in fostering sub-brands such as "warm care for the elderly" and "pioneers for protecting babies" across all Party branches, steering the institution toward its overarching objective of becoming an inclusive "all-age friendly hospital".

Chen Fan, a Party member and pharmacist, exemplifies compassion and commitment in his interactions with an 81-year-old female patient suffering from high blood pressure, heart failure and other ailments.

Patiently answering her questions for an hour and extending his guidance through WeChat, Chen's unwavering support has been instrumental in correcting the elderly patient's medication habits over the past year, earning him the title of her trusted "health butler".

The pharmacy clinic where Chen serves has recently been recognized as a model post for its contributions to building a warmhearted hospital in Wuhan. Among the 50 model posts that have received accolades, these establishments play a crucial role in various facets of patient care, encompassing medical guidance and examinations, effectively spanning the entirety of the patient's treatment journey.

Within the recognized model posts, an impressive 70 percent of the total staff members are Party members, showcasing a strong commitment to service and care. The hospital's Party branches exhibit a keen focus on enhancing the finer details of people's medical experiences, empowering Party members and cadres to spearhead service initiatives and ensure the delivery of exceptional care to patients.

From concept innovation and technological breakthroughs to service enhancements and operational efficiencies, the development of "a warmhearted hospital in Wuhan" brand exemplifies a harmonious integration of Party building and business strategies within public hospitals.

"The vitality of this brand building lies deeply in the people's health needs, embracing technological advancements and staying true to the core mission of healthcare services," said Peng Peng, deputy secretary of the Party committee and president of the hospital.

By leveraging Party building as a guiding principle, the hospital aims to drive high-quality development, with a strategic vision to transform and elevate its services over the next five to 10 years.

The overarching goal is to establish a national hub for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, positioning the hospital as a beacon of excellence in healthcare delivery, Peng noted.

Furthermore, this initiative is poised to play a pivotal role in the broader context of promoting a "healthy Wuhan" and reshaping the city's prominence in the new era, he added.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn