International Doctors Hone Endoscopy Skills in Beijing Training Program

Despite the air conditioning, sweat beaded on the foreheads of doctors at a Beijing simulation facility in June. Dr. Mustafa Ahmed Haridy Abdellah, an Egyptian physician, carefully maneuvered an endoscope through the digestive tract of an anesthetized pig to identify a malignant lesion. He was observed by a team of physicians and interpreters.

Dr. Abdellah, after taking over from his Russian peer, Sergei Skupchenko, identified the lesion on a live feed. He then began to remove the infected tissue with precision. Under the guidance of senior Chinese endoscopists, he completed the procedure, receiving applause from the observing physicians.

For Dr. Abdellah, the journey to participate in the training program was extensive. He traveled for a total of 40 hours from his home to the operating room in Beijing. He was motivated by the opportunity to learn new skills. He expressed his happiness at the education provided by the doctors and officers.

Dr. Abdellah was one of 16 physicians from six countries participating in a five-day intensive training program in Beijing. The program, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, focused on gastrointestinal endoscopy training, a minimally invasive procedure used to examine and treat digestive disorders.

The program was hosted by the Beijing Friendship Hospital, the National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, and a domestic medical equipment manufacturer. The program allowed foreign trainees to progress from simulations to animal-based practice and clinical training. The aim was to help junior endoscopists achieve proficiency and experienced practitioners refine their techniques.

Dr. Abdellah was particularly interested in learning endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a minimally invasive procedure to remove early-stage gastrointestinal tumors. He recognized the potential of the technique, especially in his region where such expertise is limited. His supervisor encouraged him to participate in the training program.

Chinese physicians mentored the international doctors, guiding them through each step of the procedure. They emphasized the importance of precision and patience, treating each exercise as if it were a real patient.

A Russian doctor described the teaching style as caring. He gained new knowledge and understood the importance of continuous learning. The program, launched in 2016, has trained over 100 medical professionals from various countries.

During his training session, Dr. Abdellah successfully completed the ESD procedure, though he found the physical setup challenging. He acknowledged the need for more practice but considered the program a good starting point.