China's Heavy Ion Therapy Makes Its Way into Hohhot

China's Heavy Ion Therapy Makes Its Way into Hohhot

August 30: The China Heavy Ion High-Quality Development and Green Healthcare Model Promotion Conference was successfully held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

Experts including Professor Yu Zhilong from the Radiation Oncology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University and the Zhongke Heavy Ion Consultation Center, Zhao Yongwen, President of Inner Mongolia 199 International General Hospital, Professor Li Zhijun from the Radiation Oncology Department of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hospital, Professor Li Yongqing, Director of the Radiation Oncology Department of Ulanqab Central Hospital, Professor Li Xiaojun from the Radiation Oncology Department of Hohhot City Hospital, Professor Lin Yu, Deputy Director of the Radiation Oncology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Professor Yu Rong, Professor Li Zhiqiang, Director of the Interventional Department of Hohhot Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Mongolian Medicine, and Ren Jushan from Hohhot Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Mongolian Medicine, as well as Nan Shiqi, President of the Inner Mongolia Gansu Chamber of Commerce, Xue Chao, President of the Hohhot Young Entrepreneurs Association, Yang Jun, Deputy General Manager of China Southern Airlines Group Culture and Media Co., Ltd., Chen Suhua, Sales Director, Jiang Wei, General Manager of the PICC "Million Medical + Heavy Ion Medical Treatment Green Channel" project (Wuwei Branch), and Ye Yanchang, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, along with relevant responsible personnel and radiotherapy and oncology experts from various hospitals in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, attended the meeting. In addition, 20 mainstream media outlets, including China Morning News Network, Inner Mongolia Metropolitan Daily, China Inner Mongolia Information Network, NetEase, and Sohu, provided full coverage of the event.

The meeting was presided over by Cai Qinghua, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. During the meeting, all attendees watched a short film introducing heavy ion therapy. Professor Yu Zhilong, an expert from the Radiation Oncology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University and the Zhongke Heavy Ion Consultation Center, delivered a speech. Yang Jun, Deputy General Manager of China Southern Airlines Group Culture and Media Co., Ltd., spoke on behalf of Southern Airlines Media and presented the Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital’s Wuwei Heavy Ion Center with the Strategic Partnership Award at the 2025 19th China Brand Festival, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the "Southern Airlines" magazine and the Southern Airlines Media Brand Forum. Jiang Wei, General Manager of the PICC "Million Medical + Heavy Ion Medical Treatment Green Channel" project (Wuwei Branch), detailed the "Million Medical Heavy Ion Treatment Green Channel" project. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of China Southern Airlines Group Culture and Media Co., Ltd., introduced the "Green Medical Aviation High-Quality Service" project. Ye Yanchang, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, delivered a thematic presentation titled "Heavy Ion Hospital Construction and Five-Year Clinical Report," comprehensively introducing the construction achievements and clinical application practices of heavy ion therapy technology.

Presided over by Cai Qinghua, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital

Professor Yu Zhilong, radiotherapy expert from the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University and expert at the CNNC Heavy Ion Consultation Center, delivered a speech

Yang Jun, Deputy General Manager of China Southern Air Holding Culture and Media Co., Ltd., delivered a speech on behalf of Southern Air Media and presented the Strategic Partnership Award of the Southern Air Media Brand Forum for the 40th Anniversary of the "Southern Airlines" Magazine at the 19th China Brand Festival 2025 to the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital

Jiang Wei, General Manager (Wuwei Branch) and project lead of China Life's "Millions of Medical Care + Heavy Ion Medical Green Channel" project, provided a detailed introduction to the "Millions of Medical Care Heavy Ion Treatment Green Channel" project

Chen Suhua, Sales Director of China Southern Air Holding Culture and Media Co., Ltd., introduced the "Green Healthcare Aviation High-Quality Service" project

Ye Yancheng, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, delivered a thematic report titled "Five-Year Status of Heavy Ion Construction and Clinical Application"

Expert Q&A / Press Inquiry

After ten years of construction and five years of operational practice, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has successfully operated China's first and second heavy ion tumor therapy systems. In the "15th Five-Year" plan, the hospital has anchored its core values of "Compassion, Harmony, and Health," with a mission to "gather global cutting-edge technologies to benefit cancer patients worldwide," and a vision to "become a global destination for patients overcoming cancer." Building on the convergence of global intellectual resources, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has continuously broken through in technological innovation, achieving multiple "firsts domestically and internationally." It is the world's only hospital operating two heavy ion therapy systems, forming a powerful dual-center synergistic structure; it performs the highest number of single-fraction treatments completed within one day globally; it pioneered precision heavy ion therapy technology under ventilator control; it pioneered bladder cancer treatment technology with precise bladder capacity management; it pioneered single-session heavy ion therapy with surgical placement of isolation pads between organs and tumors; it developed China's first 360-degree rotating and adjustable ion therapy chair; it completed the world's first multiple cases of cardiac tumor heavy ion therapy; and it implemented the world's first comprehensive whole-life-cycle physical and mental health management integrated with heavy ion therapy. These breakthroughs not only fill multiple international gaps but also transform China's heavy ion therapy from a "follower" to a "leader."

Moreover, the hospital has long retained professors such as Kimio Kanai from Gunma University School of Medicine in Japan, former Director of the Comprehensive Research Institute for Radiological Science Hirohiko Tsujii, Professor Jörg Hauffe (former director of the Munich Proton Therapy Center in Germany) and Professor Olga, Professor Ren Yimin (former chairman of the Taiwan Radiotherapy Oncology Committee) and Professor Wu Jiaming (a renowned radiotherapy physicist from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan), as well as the team of Professor Wang Junjie (chairman of the Oncology Radiotherapy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association). Through clinical mentoring and technical guidance, they have laid a solid foundation for building a globally competitive cancer treatment system. Recently, the hospital also brought in Professor Yasuo Yoshioka from the Department of Radiotherapy at the Japanese Cancer Research Center and Professor György Kovács (Director of the Lübeck Center for Brachytherapy in Germany and Director of the Educational Program at the Italian University of the Sacred Heart) for long-term work.

From 7 treatable types of cancers during the clinical trial period in 2018 to over 50 types of cancers now treated with precision, and from an annual treatment capacity of 200 cases to nearly 1,000 cases, the average annual growth rate of 17.5% reflects the comprehensive advancement of China's high-end medical service capabilities and technical precision. To date, the hospital has treated over 2,100 patients, including those from all provinces and municipalities across China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) as well as from overseas countries such as Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

It is understood that to effectively address medical cost issues and provide financial security for cancer prevention and treatment to the broader population, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has partnered with insurance companies like China Life to launch the "Millions of Medical Care + Heavy Ion Medical Green Channel" project. Those who purchase the insurance can, upon illness, receive heavy ion therapy and other comprehensive treatments, enjoying total coverage of 5.55 million yuan (4.05 million yuan for comprehensive medical insurance + 1.5 million yuan for heavy ion medical insurance), with the insurance company providing one-stop medical expense reimbursement. This project has already benefited a large number of patients receiving heavy ion therapy and comprehensive treatment.

"Chinese Heavy Ions, New Hope for Life." With the launch of this promotion conference, heavy ion technology—an advanced cancer treatment technology of the 21st century—will further come into the view of people in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and surrounding areas. This not only marks a milestone in the deep integration of China's high-end medical technology and public health security but also signifies a leap forward in the transition from technological breakthrough to widespread accessibility in the field of cancer treatment in China.

Conference Highlights

Preliminary Review: Zhang Jie   Final Review: Zhang Lihong