More complicated cases had to be transferred to Lhasa, the region's capital, about a five-hour drive away, while those needing a a gastroscopic exam had to fly to Chengdu, capital of neighboring Sichuan province.

 

"Since then, we made up our minds to thoroughly upgrade local medical services," Shen said.

 

Yu Hongmeng, deputy director of a Fudan University-affiliated hospital, also set up a three-year work plan.

 

"All members pledge to introduce advanced medical technology, clinical practices and medical science to locals during the program as we are not always there to help them with all issues," Yu said. "The goal is that one day they no longer need us, and can work independently."

 

Clinical training is included in their daily work, according to Yu Jian, a neurosurgeon at Huashan Hospital.

 

Yu Jian said he would gather local doctors twice a week and ask them about patients' clinical status.

 

"If they could not answer, I asked them to review the data again before joining group discussions," he said. "We also discuss intractable cases every month and receive remote mentoring from experts in Shanghai hospitals. This acts as a great way to broaden the doctors' knowledge of diagnoses and treatments."