How can scientific and technological innovation meet new challenges in global health?
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing on April 27, (Reporters Xiong Lin, Wang Pu, Xie Han) A new phase of technological and scientific revolution and industrial transformation is speeding up and accelerating. Synthetic biology as well as the editing of genes, brain science and regenerative medical technology are advancing rapidly and the life sciences is creating the latest developments.
It was the Global Health and Development Forum is a forum that was held in parallel to 2024’s Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting held in this location, was centered around “Responding to new global health challenges with scientific and technological innovation”. More than 300 academicians, experts and scholars from diverse areas like academia, industry, research and investment participated in the event to discuss technological and scientific innovations to address the new health challenges in the world.
Basic research is a catalyst for the developments in cutting-edge technology
“Hello everyone! My name is Barry Marshall, and I’m a professor of clinical medicine in Australia. I won the 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric ulcers.” Barry Marshall, a member of the Australian Academy of Science and an overseas participant in the Chinese Academy of Engineering, began his speech in fluent Chinese receiving applause from the crowd.
Barry Marshall and his colleagues received his colleagues the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research into Helicobacter Pylori and its function in gastritis-related diseases and ulcers in the gastric tract. The basic research they conducted has provided new knowledge for the world and resulted in increased study in other related disciplines like treatment, detection and medications. He suggested that the growth of technology for medical research and development must focus more on the fundamental research, make investments in new technologies and research and grant material for technological and medical advancement.
The advancement of medical science is tied to human health and life.
“Looking back at the century-long history of thoracic surgery, there have been two major breakthroughs: the first was the case of lung cancer being cured through surgery in the 1930s, which opened a new chapter in thoracic surgery; the other was the application of thoracoscopy in the early 1990s.” Wang Jun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the president of the Peking University People’s Hospital, claimed that this minimally-invasive technology has been developing rapidly within my nation. Today, almost 90 percent of lung cancer surgery in China can be done using the use of thoracoscopy.
“One of the challenges facing lung cancer surgery is the contradiction between the huge patient demand and limited surgical capabilities. We are together AI to solve this problem.” Wang Jun said that in recent times, Peking University People’s Hospital has collaborated on projects together with experts in the area of AI from Tsinghua University, Peking University as well as the Chinese Academy of Sciences to create medical AI modules to aid in precision medical treatment which has yielded gratifying outcome.
Chen Jiachang, vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology He said that the ministry is actively promoting new research and development, like basic research could provide more accurate and efficient diagnostic and treatment techniques, help in providing more convenient and smart health management solutions as well as accelerate the development and advancement of vaccines and medicines.
Innovative methods and ideas provide new energy to the health sector
In recent times, the effects of climate change, epidemics as well as conflicts and wars and economic crisis have created extreme health challenges for the population.
A number of experts and representatives during the conference said that our public health system has stood up to several tests, and its fundamental capability to respond in health emergencies are at the international standard However, we cannot let our efforts lapse in the pursuit of effectively and scientifically manage, prevent and manage public health emergencies.
Liang Wannian, executive vice president of Tsinghua University Vanke School of Public Health and Health and director of the Healthy China Research Institute, explained that in the health system chronic diseases, infectious diseases, aging populations, climate change and the other major problems facing humans today health pose significant problems. How to coordinate organically the building of capacity and preventing the next epidemic is a major issue.
“Population aging is a challenge faced by many countries around the world. The arrival of aging will inevitably lead to many changes in health needs. How the health system responds to these changes is also an important issue,” declared Liang Wannian.
The data shows that by 2023 the total number of patents for medical equipment applications was more than 138,000, representing more than 60 percent of the world’s. Three kinds of medical devices, including Carbon Ion Therapy Systems, and proton therapy systems were deemed suitable to be listed, constantly making up for the lack of similar areas.
“To continuously meet the expectations of the general public for a better life, we need medical equipment to empower the development of the health care industry.” Zhang Qiang, chairman and co-CEO of United Imaging Healthcare, who was at the forum, stated that, from the beginning of study and the development of crucial technology to making the goal of achieving a “zero breakthrough” in high-end medical imaging equipment, technological and scientific advancements will never cease.
You can make more contributions to build a community of health and wellness for everyone
If humanity is determined to resolve the issue of sustainable growth, it requires international collaboration and a shared approach.
Zheng Zhijie, chief representative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Beijing Office Zheng Zhijie, chief representative of the Beijing Office of the Bill & Me currently the process to achieve those United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has surpassed half adequate to the current state of affairs, some global health indicators face major challenges in achieving the targets.
The attendees on the panel believed only when business, government as well as non-governmental and international organizations cooperate to speed up the process of ingenuity and innovation in research and development and change of payoff and improve the lives of all to meet global health issues.
“In Changping and Yizhuang, Beijing, many bio-pharmaceutical companies are growing rapidly, new R&D institutions in the field of life sciences are developing well, and researchers from top domestic universities and various forces are actively engaged in entrepreneurship to benefit transform research outcome.” Yu Yingjie, member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Education Working Committee, said that, in the coming years, Beijing will continue to collaborate with positive forces within and outside of China to help promote the creation of new technologies, innovative products and models in the area of health and life to warrant that the most innovative outcome will benefit people.
Chen Jiachang has said: “We should always put the protection of people’s health in a prominent position, promote more scientific discoveries, technological achievements and innovative products in the fields of medicine and health through multidisciplinary integration, cross-border cooperation between industry, academia and research, technological innovation and innovative policy support, so as to better enhance human health and well-being.”