Three decades' treating patients on Chinese island

After working on an island for over three decades, Wang Guixiang promises more service for the islanders and hopes for more doctors to join.

Wang Guixiang, in his 50s, is now the fifth director of the only clinic in Guishan township. And it is the 32nd year he has worked on Guishan Island, located in the Lingdingyang waters at the mouth of the Pearl River. The island is only three sea miles to Hong Kong special administrative region and 15 sea miles to Zhuhai special economic zone in Guangdong province.

Having worked in the island clinic for more than three decades, Wang has been regarded as a family member by 2,000 residents in Guishan island in Zhuhai's Wanshan district.

"I hope more doctors will arrive in the island to work in the clinic in the coming years so the doctors here can take turns to have their holidays and have the opportunities for further education," said Wang Guixiang.

Wang has now established health files for most of the residents in the island, with an aim to offer better medical service to them.

The island has now registered 140 people who are suffering from high blood pressure and another 20 diabetics. Wang knows the situation of the patients very well.

"The medical conditions in the island now have greatly improved when the clinic established its own operating theatre, delivery room and became equipped with B-ultrasound and X-ray equipment and technologies," Wang told local media.

Wang became a doctor in Guishan Island when he graduated from a university of medical science in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in 1987.

"Due to the poor working conditions and hard lives, nine of the 11 medical graduates who were working on islands like me left," said Wang.

Wang's clinic only had five medical staff when he arrived on the island 32 years ago.

"And we relied only on stethoscopes, thermometers and sphygmomanometers to see patients, diagnose and provide treatment," he said.

"Now that I have chosen to work on the island, I should get my job done."

Wang said he never regrets choosing to work in his island clinic.

Ke Peisen, another doctor in Wang's clinic, said Wang lives in the clinic and he always refuses to leave his clinic far away even for walks.

"Wang is afraid locals could not see doctors in time when he leaves far away," Ke said.

Wu Kui, a resident in the Guishan Island, said Wang is an honest person who has done a lot of work for the residents in the island.