Georgian Foundation Leader Visits Gansu Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

A New Chapter in Belt and Road Health Collaboration: Georgian Foundation Leader Visits Gansu Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

On July 7, Mr. David Saganelidze, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Georgian Co-Investment Fund and former Georgian Co-Chair of the Georgia-China Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation, along with Ms. Tamar Namoradze, Assistant to the Chairman, visited Wuwei City, Gansu Province. Their tour focused on the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center at Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital—the nation’s first clinical base deploying a domestically developed heavy ion therapy system.

Mr. Saganelidze brings notable expertise to the visit, holding a surgical degree from Tbilisi State Medical University and a long track record in fostering China-Georgia cooperation. The delegation explored the center’s scale model room, core treatment zones, and smart hospital command center. Staff detailed the principles behind heavy ion technology, equipment operations, clinical outcomes, and ongoing research. Engaging directly with the presentations, Mr. Saganelidze and Ms. Namoradze discussed practical applications of precision radiotherapy for cancer care.

Both Georgian representatives praised China’s breakthroughs in homegrown heavy ion technology. Mr. Saganelidze noted that this “strategic national asset” addresses critical gaps in high-end radiotherapy equipment, establishing a distinctly Chinese approach to cancer treatment. He highlighted its significance in transitioning from technological follower to global leader—a shift injecting fresh momentum into worldwide radiotherapy innovation and accessibility.

As the birthplace and benchmark of China’s heavy ion program, the Wuwei Center has overcome key technical barriers and pioneered nine globally competitive therapies. It remains the only medical institution nationwide operating dual-ion treatment systems concurrently, achieving remarkable results in thoracic tumor radiotherapy, single-fraction daily treatments, respiratory-gated radiotherapy, and precision bladder cancer management. Its proprietary techniques—including organ-tumor isolation shielding and dual “Prague” lattice radiotherapy—have successfully treated complex cases by precisely targeting tumors while sparing healthy tissue. Complementing these advances, an integrated care model combining heavy ion therapy with lifelong health management offers patients seamless diagnosis, rehabilitation, and wellness support.

To date, the center and its affiliated facilities have performed over 3,000 heavy ion treatments, serving patients from every province in China. International patients from Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Canada, Jordan, Serbia, and beyond also seek care here, cementing its role as a global showcase for China’s advancements in the field.

This visit, facilitated through Belt and Road channels, highlights Gansu’s innovations in medical science and deepens Georgia-China health collaboration. It builds on earlier praise from H.E. Archil Kalandia, Georgian Ambassador to China, who toured the facility and advocated partnerships between Wuwei Heavy Ion Center and the Republican Hospital in Tbilisi across clinical practice, talent development, academic exchange, and research. Mr. Saganelidze’s trip further advances this shared vision.

Looking ahead, Wuwei Heavy Ion Center will continue driving technological transformation and innovation, elevating China’s standards in heavy ion medicine. Leveraging Silk Road connections, it aims to share China’s healthcare progress globally—extending tangible benefits to cancer patients across Belt and Road nations, including Georgia.

Writer: Duan Shengyu

First Reviewer: Yang Yang

Second Reviewer: Guo Yishan

Third Reviewer: Cai Qinghua

Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital (Wuwei Academy of Medical Sciences)

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