'Coming to China, Best Decision in My Life'

Doctor Misbahul Ferdous is holding a trophy and certificate awarded by Global Health for his excellence in cardiovascular care in 2020. (COURTSEY PHOTO)

A foreign cardiologist made a life-changing decision after receiving his undergraduate degree in 2008, opting to travel to China to further his studies.

Eight years later, he became the first Bangladeshi cardiologist to earn a doctor's degree from the prestigious Shandong University and then joined Beijing Fuwai Hospital, a preeminent institution in the field of cardiovascular disease treatment. Doctor Misbahul Ferdous is also the vice president of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology and has long promoted exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Science and Technology Daily recently interviewed Ferdous to find out more about his "love affair" with China via on-line video.

The best decision in his life

"I remember it was in the late afternoon one day in September 2009 when my flight landed at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport. I didn't speak Chinese at the time, and the new environment was totally unfamiliar to me," recalls Ferdous of his arrival in China.

"Almost 99 percent of the people around me didn't understand [why I had chosen to come to China] and not [chosen] another country." In hindsight, he said that decision changed the trajectory of his life. "I can say that coming to China is the best decision I've ever made in my life, and China has brought me education, work, friends, pretty much everything I have at the moment."

Cardiology knowledge exchanges

Ferdous has been active in promoting cooperation in the field of cardiology between China and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, all in the name of the Chinese Society of Cardiology and Fuwai Hospital.

Under the guidance of his mentor, Doctor Wu Yongjian, director of the Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, Ferdous often travels to Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries for medical exchanges with his colleagues.

"Even during the pandemic, we still maintain very close and frequent exchanges. The Belt and Road Initiative has opened the door for us to learn from each other," he said.

The Initiative also focuses on training young doctors. According to Ferdous, doctors from countries in the Belt and Road Initiative have opportunities to travel to China every year for a three-month or six-month training program.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

When COVID-19 struck, Ferdous and Doctor Wu were attending conferences in Saudi Arabia. Then, faced with countless unknowns and discouragement from his family and friends to remain in China, Ferdous returned to the country more determined than ever to help.

"At that time I said to myself, whether as a doctor or as a foreigner who has lived in China for many years, if I don't go back when China needs help, I will feel ashamed for the rest of my life. I thought it was my responsibility to step up and do something for China," he said.

The long-term cooperation between Ferdous and his team and the countries in the Belt and Road Initiative has not only facilitated medical exchanges, but also helped each side to overcome difficulties during the tough times of the pandemic.

Ferdous recalls that in January 2020, he and Doctor Wu wrote to cardiologists in countries in the Belt and Road Initiative to seek help due to a shortage of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). "Everything was unknown at that time, and many flights to China were canceled, but they still did their best to help, and we later received more than 60,000 face masks from countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia."

And in March of 2020, when COVID-19 in China was brought under control, he and Doctor Wu returned the favor, donating large amounts of PPE to those countries. "They reached out when we were in trouble, and we helped when they were in trouble, and the pandemic brought us closer to these countries," said Ferdous.

"China always opens its doors. During the pandemic, even though we are far apart, our hearts are always connected" he said.