Editor's Note: This year marks the 5th anniversary of the China International Import Expo. The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Story" activity on June 1 to invite people who were involved in the previous CIIEs to share their stories and have received a large number of warm responses so far. We are going to publish the excellent works of "My CIIE Story" in succession. In July, the stories will center on "grand strategy", which showcases the CIIE's role in promoting key national strategies, diplomatic relationships and international public good. Let's follow the words written by the authors and look back on their wonderful moments from the past five years.

Zhu Lichang conducts a lecture on diabetes during the CIIE. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

I attended the CIIE in 2020 and 2021 to share knowledge about diabetes. This experience was both exciting and stressful.

To ensure that the content I share is easily understood by the masses, I did research to find the latest papers and treatment guidelines on this disease in the world and combined them with real cases to better engage the audience.

I believe that it is a doctor's duty to educate the public on health issues in addition to cure their illnesses. Sharing information about disease prevention and treatment is helpful to building a healthy China and this cause needs the involvement of government departments, industry organizations and medical companies.

A public welfare project initiated by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which I took part in, is one good example. I was invited to conduct classes on diabetes management at the company's booth during the CIIE and the innovative drugs and medical technologies showcased helped the audience stay focused.

The CIIE is a great opportunity for me to learn about the world's most advanced medications and treatment methods as it is usually difficult to have access to an innovative drug before it enters the market. Walking around the booths at the medical equipment and healthcare products exhibition area of the CIIE, I also got the chance to listen to experts who shared their latest research results.

The CIIE has even helped me perform better at work. One of my patients had been taking medicines to control her blood sugar levels but the results were not very satisfactory. During the pandemic, she had to stop going to the gym to avoid infection, which made her conditions worse. I then noticed this new drug by Novo Nordisk at the CIIE and recommended it to the patient after the drug was included in the national insurance list. It later proved very effective in lowering her blood sugar levels.

Through the CIIE, numerous innovate drugs have entered the Chinese market and helped doctors like me cure patients.

By Zhu Lichang

Zhu Lichang

The author is a general practitioner and the director of the general practice team at the Jiyang Community Health Services Station in the Pudong New Area, Shanghai.