Chongqing - A team of nine doctors from several Chongqing-based hospitals, including Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, and University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, held a free community health clinic on June 19th, along Shengli Road in Yuzhong District the city downtown.

On June 19th, nine doctors from hospitals in Chongqing carried out a free voluntary clinic in the communities along Shengli Road in Yuzhong District. (Photo/Yang Yuanchun)

The doctors offered their expertise for this community service event, providing residents with consultations on common ailments and advice on leading healthy lifestyles. They also conducted health assessments and performed physical examinations for participants.

Featuring 12 programs, the clinic covered a wide range of medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, stomatology, and waste sorting.

The event served as a platform for healthcare professionals to share vital information about disease prevention, dental care, and general well-being. The doctors and volunteers also educated mothers about infant care and guided children through block-building activities to stimulate their motor skills and scientific curiosity.

The dedicated experts patiently offered health consultations to residents, educating them on disease prevention, dental care, and overall well-being.  (Photo/Yang Yuanchun)

Zhang Ming, a Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital pediatrician, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in popularizing health education. Many Chongqing hospitals actively contribute to these efforts, including online activities on official WeChat accounts and informative videos.

Zhang further explained that the event was critical in enabling older community members to distinguish between credible health information and misleading content online. Face-to-face engagements at the clinic offered an opportunity to deepen their understanding of regular medical treatments, effectively addressing potential health concerns.

The dedicated experts patiently offered health consultations to residents, educating them on disease prevention, dental care, and overall well-being. (Photo/Yang Yuanchun)

Gao Xi, a physician from the traditional Chinese medicine department of the University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, is a long-time advocate for health education. Gao believes that the responsibility for health education lies primarily with medical professionals and that Chongqing has been actively promoting such activities for years.

She expressed her hope that these efforts would meet the needs of community residents by providing much-needed health information and effectively responding to their questions. She noted that these in-person activities, complementing previous online initiatives, offered an invaluable opportunity for direct interaction with patients, allowing for efficient resolution of their concerns.

Residents waited in line for the health consultations.(Photo/Yang Yuanchun)

Participants praised the initiative, with several residents expressing their appreciation. Some highlighted the value of the clinic for the elderly, enhancing their health awareness. Parents also found the advice regarding child health and feeding practices particularly beneficial. Many residents are looking forward to future events of this nature.

Emphasizing the importance of public health education, Dr. Zhang noted that such initiatives could significantly reduce the burden on hospitals. Empowering parents with relevant information about their children's health reduces the likelihood of frequent, anxiety-driven hospital visits. This reduction in non-critical visits helps to alleviate strain on healthcare resources.

Echoing Zhang's sentiments, Dr. Gao suggested that health education activities help minimize conflicts between doctors and patients by improving patients' understanding of general medical knowledge. These initiatives can prevent patients from registering incorrectly, thereby avoiding treatment delays.

Such efforts can significantly alleviate hospital workload and foster a healthier doctor-patient relationship.

(Yang Yuanchun, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)