China's Heavy Ion Technology and Green Medical Service Model Take Root in the Central Plains: "Chine

China's Heavy Ion Technology and Green Medical Service Model Take Root in the Central Plains: "Chinese Solution" Tackles Global Cancer Treatment Challenges

—High-Quality Development of China's Heavy Ion Technology & Green Medical Service Model Promotion Conference Successfully Held in Zhengzhou, Henan Province

On September 10, the "China's Heavy Ion High-Quality Development and Green Medical Service Model Promotion Conference" was successfully held in Zhengzhou, the Merchant Capital—a city steeped in profound cultural heritage and brimming with vitality.

The meeting was chaired by Cai Qinghua, Deputy President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. At the event, Professor Fan Ruitai, Fifth Director of the Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology Branch of the Henan Provincial Medical Association, Standing Committee Member of the Oncological Radiotherapy Committee of the Chinese Medical Association, Chief Physician, PhD, and Postdoctoral Supervisor, delivered an opening address; Liu Yongqiang, Deputy General Manager of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., spoke on behalf of China Southern Media; Jiang Wei, Project Leader (Wuwei Branch) of China Life Insurance’s "Million Medical Insurance + Heavy Ion Green Life Channel for Medical Treatment" project, provided a detailed introduction to the "Million Medical Insurance Heavy Ion Treatment Green Channel" initiative; Chen Suhua, National Sales Director of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., presented the "Green Medical Treatment High-Quality Aviation Service" project; and Ye Yancheng, President of Wuwei Tumor Hospital of Gansu Province, delivered a keynote report titled "Five-Year Progress of Heavy Ion Facility Construction and Clinical Application." In his report, he comprehensively shared the construction achievements of heavy ion therapy technology, practical experiences in clinical applications, and key breakthroughs in breaking international monopolies and establishing technical standards.

Cai Qinghua, Deputy President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, chaired the meeting.

Professor Fan Ruitai, Fifth Director of the Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology Branch of the Henan Provincial Medical Association, Standing Committee Member of the Oncological Radiotherapy Committee of the Chinese Medical Association, Chief Physician, PhD, and Postdoctoral Supervisor, delivered an opening address

Liu Yongqiang, Deputy General Manager of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., spoke on behalf of China Southern Media.

Jiang Wei, Project Leader (Wuwei Branch) of China Life Insurance’s "Million Medical Insurance + Green Life Channel for Heavy Ion Medical Treatment" Project, provided a detailed introduction to the "Million Medical Insurance Heavy Ion Treatment Green Channel" Project.

Chen Suhua, National Sales Director of China Southern Airlines Group Cultural Media Co., Ltd., introduced the "Green Medical Treatment High-Quality Aviation Service" Project.

Ye Yancheng, President of Wuwei Tumor Hospital of Gansu Province, delivered a keynote report titled "Five-Year Progress of Heavy Ion Facility Construction and Clinical Application."

Expert Q&A | Journalist Q&A

For a long time, as "cutting-edge oncology treatment technology of the 21st century," the core equipment and diagnostic/treatment standards of heavy ion therapy have been firmly controlled by a few developed countries. Countless cancer patients worldwide have faced the dilemma of being "unable to afford treatment or access it." Against this backdrop, China has blazed a developmental path—from nothing to something, from something to excellence, and from excellence to strength—by making independent scientific research and breakthroughs its starting point. As the core platform for this journey, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, after a decade of construction and five years of clinical practice, has achieved numerous "firsts at home and abroad": It has successfully operated China’s first and second self-developed heavy ion oncology treatment systems, becoming the world’s only hospital with two operational heavy ion treatment devices and completely breaking free from reliance on foreign equipment; it has globally pioneered precise heavy ion treatment under ventilator control, heavy ion treatment for cardiac tumors, and other technologies, with relevant standards filling domestic gaps and becoming industry benchmarks; it has developed China’s first 360° rotating and lifting ion radiotherapy chair, pushing the precision and comfort of heavy ion treatment to new heights.

Today, the center's clinical capabilities have achieved a qualitative leap: the types of diseases treated have expanded from 7 during the 2018 clinical trial phase to over 50, with each disease now having standardized diagnosis and treatment protocols tailored to the characteristics of Chinese patients. The annual number of treatments has surged from 200 to nearly 1,000, with an average annual growth rate of 17.5%. Both treatment efficiency and efficacy have reached internationally advanced levels. To date, the center has brought hope to over 2,200 patients, with its services covering all provinces and regions of China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) as well as multiple countries such as Australia, Belgium, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. The international recognition and standard-setting influence of China's heavy ion technology continue to rise, allowing the "China Solution" to emerge prominently in the global field of cancer treatment.

Moreover, the hospital has long-term collaborations with globally renowned experts, including Professor Tatsuaki Kanai from Gunma University (Japan), former Director of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences Professor Hirohiko Tsujii, Professor Jörg Hauffe (former Director of the Munich Proton Therapy Center RPTC), Professor Olga, Professor Yi-Min Jen (former Chairman of the Taiwan Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology), Professor Chia-Ming Wu (a distinguished medical physicist from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan), and the team of Professor Junjie Wang, Chairman of the Chinese Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology. Through clinical mentoring and technical guidance, they have laid a solid foundation for building a globally competitive oncology treatment system. Recently, the hospital has further strengthened its international expertise by welcoming Professor Yasuo Yoshioka from the Department of Radiotherapy at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research and Professor György Kovács, Director of the Brachytherapy Center in Lübeck (Germany) and Educational Program Director at the Università del Sacro Cuore (Italy), who have joined the hospital on a long-term basis.

To address the challenge of "high costs for advanced medical treatments" and ensure that independent technological achievements and standardized outcomes truly benefit the public, the hospital has innovatively established a "medical care + insurance" support model and an "aviation + medical access" service system.

Collaborating with insurance companies such as China Life Insurance, the hospital launched the "Million-Yuan Medical Coverage + Heavy Ion Treatment Green Channel" program. Under this initiative, policyholders who fall ill and receive heavy ion treatment or other comprehensive therapies are eligible for total coverage of 5.55 million yuan (including 4.05 million yuan for comprehensive medical insurance and 1.5 million yuan for heavy ion-specific medical insurance). The insurance company provides one-stop reimbursement for medical expenses, which has already benefited a large number of patients.

Additionally, partnering with China Southern Airline Group Culture & Media Co., Ltd., the hospital has developed the "Green Aviation High-Quality Medical Service" to address transportation challenges for patients seeking cross-regional care. This service enables patients in remote areas to efficiently access cutting-edge medical resources that meet Chinese standards.

Professor Fan Rui Tai, the 5th Chair of the Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology Branch of the Henan Medical Association, a Standing Committee Member of the Tumor Radiotherapy Committee of the Chinese Medical Association, Chief Physician, PhD, and Postdoctoral Supervisor; Professor Ge Hong, the 6th Chair of the Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology Branch of the Henan Medical Association, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at Henan Cancer Hospital, Chief Physician, PhD Supervisor, Expert Receiving State Council Government Allowance, and Renowned Physician of Central China; Professor Han Qian, Vice Chair of the Radiotherapy Oncology Branch of the Henan Medical Association, Chief Physician at the Tumor Center of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, and Master’s Supervisor; Professor Yang Chengliang, Deputy Director of the Radiotherapy Department at Henan Cancer Hospital, Associate Chief Physician, and PhD in Oncology; Professor Zheng Anping, Chief Physician of the Radiotherapy Department at Anyang Tumor Hospital; Professor Wang Xiaohong, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at the First Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Chief Physician; Professor Shan Guoyong, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at Zhengzhou People’s Hospital, Chief Physician; Professor Wang Gang, Deputy Director of the Tumor Radiotherapy Department at Zhengzhou Third People’s Hospital, Associate Chief Physician, and Master’s in Oncology; Professor Wu Shang, Chief Physician of the Radiotherapy Department at Xinyang Central Hospital; Professor Hou Liangxue from the First People’s Hospital of Shangqiu; and other radiotherapy and oncology experts from hospitals across Henan attended the meeting.

Liu Yongqiang, Deputy General Manager of China Southern Airline Group Culture & Media Co., Ltd.; Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center of China Southern Airline Group Culture & Media Co., Ltd.; Jiang Wei, Project Leader (Wuwei Branch) of the “Million-Yuan Medical Coverage + Heavy Ion Treatment Green Life Channel” Project by China Life Insurance; Ye Yancheng, President of Wuwei Tumor Hospital in Gansu Province; and responsible persons from relevant departments of the hospital also participated. Additionally, 20 mainstream media outlets, including Henan Morning Post, Henan Daily, Henan Evening News, Elephant News, Sina.com, NetEase.com, and Great Henan News Network, provided full coverage of the meeting.

From breaking international monopolies to establishing independent standards, and from technological breakthroughs to developing a full-chain people's livelihood support system, the leapfrog progress of China's heavy ion radiotherapy technology not only epitomizes the innovation of China's high-end medical care but also demonstrates the development philosophy of "putting patients at the center" and the strength of "Chinese standards going global." In the future, this Chinese achievement will continue to expand the boundaries of its application and the influence of its standards, allowing the "seeds of new hope for life" to take root and thrive across broader lands, and contributing more Chinese strength to the global cause of cancer prevention and treatment.

Meeting Highlights

Preliminary Review: Zhang Jie  

Final Review: Zhang Lihong