Chongqing - In observance of International Women’s Day, a public welfare event dedicated to women's health was held on March 6 in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area. The event aimed to raise awareness and promote advanced medical solutions for women’s well-being.

The event showcased the use of HIFU® in treating women’s diseases. In a groundbreaking procedure, He Min, Assistant to the Director of Haifu Hospital, remotely performed the world’s first international 5G-guided focused ultrasound ablation surgery.

With just a computer and 5G technology, she remotely operated an HIFU® device in Kenya, successfully treating a 10 cm lesion for a female patient in Chongqing.

On March 6, at the Chongqing Haifu Technology Industrial Park, He Min (in the middle) performed an international 5G-guided focused ultrasound ablation surgery. (Photo/Haifu)

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound waves to target internal lesions, heating them to 65°C to cause irreversible coagulative necrosis, eliminating the need for surgery. It is especially effective for treating uterine fibroids and breast diseases in women.

Unlike previous remote-assisted surgeries, where specialists from Haifu Hospital guided foreign doctors in operating the equipment, this is the first time a Chinese doctor has directly controlled an HIFU® device overseas.

Wang Zhibiao, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, emphasized that this procedure demonstrates the maturity of HIFU®’s remote surgery capabilities, breaking geographical barriers to bring high-quality medical services to underserved regions.

However, he also noted that despite technological advancements, cross-border regulatory challenges still limit the widespread implementation of such procedures.

He explained that these challenges mainly stem from the complex negotiations needed to coordinate large-scale cross-border surgeries, where differing healthcare policies hinder countries from reaching an agreement. Wang suggested that the solution lies in ongoing dialogue between governments.

On March 6, at the Chongqing Haifu Technology Industrial Park, Ms. Lin (pseudonym) (on the right) was sharing her treatment experience. (Photo/Haifu)

Beyond its physical benefits, HIFU® also addresses psychological concerns for female patients by preserving their organs.

At the event, a former patient, Ms. Lin (pseudonym) shared her experience. When diagnosed with uterine fibroids, she struggled to accept that traditional treatment meant undergoing a hysterectomy. "I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone—not my family, not my friends. I suffered in silence," she recalled.

For her, the greatest fear wasn’t just the illness itself but the prospect of losing an essential part of her body. “As a woman, the thought of losing my womb was unbearable,” she said, echoing the emotions of many others facing similar diagnoses.

She eventually learned about HIFU® through friends, fellow patients, and various information sources. Though initially skeptical about its effectiveness, she was encouraged by her family's support and the success stories of other patients.

In September 2024, she underwent HIFU® treatment. Today, with a smooth recovery, she feels deeply fortunate. “HIFU® not only saved my organ but also safeguarded my emotional well-being,” she said.

The State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering and ISMINIM (International Society for Minimally Invasive and Non-Invasive Medicine) co-hosted the event.

At the event, the Chongqing Charity Federation Haifu Public Welfare Fund announced its commitment to continuing support in 2025, helping underprivileged women access focused ultrasound treatment.