On 15 November 2017, JSIEC hosted the Ophthalmology Alliance of East Guangdong Founding Ceremony. Distinguished guests included Mr. Lin Yimin, Vice Mayor of Shantou City, Mr. Peng Gangyi, Deputy Director of Provincial Health and Planning Commission’s Medical Department, Mr. Chen Zhiping, Deputy Director of Chaozhou City Health and Family Planning Bureau, Mr. Chen Haigui, Member and Vice-Investigator of Shantou City Health and Family Planning Bureau, Mr. Zhong Shan, Vice-Investgator of Jieyang City Health and Family Planning Bureau, Dr. Frieda Law, Executive Director of Li Ka Shing Foundation, and Mr. Chen Maohui, Secretary of Shantou University Medical College.

The Ophthalmology Alliance of East Guangdong is co-sponsored by 6 hospitals with JSIEC taking a leading role and working with the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou Central Hospital, Chaozhou Central Hospital, Chaozhou People’s Hospital and Jieyang People’s Hospital. These six hospitals organize the integration of another 106 municipal (district) public hospitals, township hospitals and community health service centers in the cities of Shantou, Chaozhou, Jieyang and Shanwei in East Guangdong.

At the founding ceremony, Prof Zhang Mingzhi, the Organizer and JSIEC Vice-Director (Executive) introduced the concepts of three levels of collaborations in this Alliance:

1. Strengthening the exchanges of services, talents and academics, enhancing the qualities of medical care, and intensifying collaborations of scientific and innovative research. A standardized platform on medical qualification and specialty consultation will be formed under the framework of alliance management.

2. Providing channels to deliver technical skills to health centers at the city, township and community levels. Technical supports and regular technical trainings will be provided to help the development of first line ophthalmologists.

3. Establishing a bidirectional patient referral system. A categorized treatment system will be developed. Trainings will be provided to school-based doctors to promote knowledge and set up ophthalmic health system in schools. Through the collaborations, the development of ophthalmology in East Guangdong will be greatly enhanced.

After the ceremony, the Ophthalmology Alliance of East Guangdong convened the first

congress. Representatives from the six co-sponsored hospitals sign a memorandum of cooperation with all the member units of the consortium.

The formal establishment of the Ophthalmology Alliance of East Guangdong is an important measure in response to the policy of medical reform, implementation of the categorized medical treatment system and integration of ophthalmology medical system in the eastern part of Guangdong. By conducting remote consultations, case discussions, bidirectional referrals, scientific research, teaching, and academic exchanges, the quality of first line ophthalmology professionals will be greatly improved. There will be sharing of resources and co-development within the Alliance. The services of eastern ophthalmology will be developed to offer reliable eye care to people in the region.