Zhu Xiang, associate chief physician at the department of infectious disease at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, inspects a patient with other team members on March 28, 2022. (PROVIDED COURTESY OF ZHU XIANG)

“I hope to use what I have learned to help people, because people come first - people’s lives come first,” said Zhu Xiang, the associate chief physician in the department of infectious disease at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou on Friday. “Treating the patients and saving lives, are not only my motivation, but also the calling of everyone in the mainland medical support team.”  

Zhu is one of 16 members of the advance team which arrived in Hong Kong on March 7 – the first batch of the mainland medical support team arranged by the central government at the request of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to assist in treating COVID-19 patients in the city. 

Zhu is managing the treatment work in one of the areas of the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo on Chek Lap Kok in Hong Kong. 

Our team members work very closely together, day and night, always on hand to support whenever they are needed.

Zhu Xiang, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University

The area he’s responsible for has the highest number of critically ill patients and the highest number of elderly patients, Zhu said, admitting that the team has encountered challenges because of the condition of the patients. 

“Firstly, their advanced age - the average age is more than 80 years old; secondly, there are many underlying conditions – more than 80 percent of them have some underlying diseases, some patients are unable to take care of themselves and cannot communicate verbally; thirdly, there are many unexpected situations, such as myocardial infarction, respiratory failure and shock.” 

To tackle any unexpected circumstances, the team of more than 100 medical professionals has to be fully prepared around the clock, he added.  

For example, seeing a patient whose condition had been stable suddenly develop respiratory failure, or shortness of breath, Zhu and his team immediately do a series of tests to interpret the patient’s vital signs. The team then provide the most appropriate and timely treatment given the results and the patient’s underlying disease, he said.

“This kind of thing happens every day,” Zhu said. “Our team members work very closely together, day and night, always on hand to support whenever they are needed.” 

Xiao Yunfei, a nurse at the department of infectious disease at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, cuts nails for the patient at the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo on March 27, 2022. (PROVIDED COURTESY OF ZHU XIANG)

Zhu said he is very pleased to see that the hard work of his team has helped the people of Hong Kong in a real way. “Doing our work in a thorough manner will contribute to the society.”

The veteran doctor also contributed to the anti-pandemic efforts in Wuhan in 2020 and in Guangzhou last year. 

Members of the mainland medical support team queue up to enter the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo on March 21, 2022. (PROVIDED COURTESY OF ZHU XIANG)

“I’m very much touched by the support from my family… they fully support and understand my work,” he said. “Thanks to my wife and child, your support is my greatest motivation to move forward.” 

Contact the writer at xinlanzeng@chinadailyhk.com