Beijing, 25 October 2021 (TDI): China awarded medals to the frontline warriors of the Covid-19 pandemic in recognition of their efforts. The ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, in early September last year. The medals were bequeathed by Xi Jinping, the President of China.
Covid-19 Pandemic
On 31 December 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the cause on 7 January 2020. Since then the virus has ravaged the whole world. However, China has made great strides in the struggle against Covid-19 because of a quick and timely response. So much so, that it has been helping other countries by providing vaccines ever since.
Medals Awarded by President Xi Jinping
The Chinese President awarded the medals. During his address at the ceremony, he lauded the health officials and health care system of the country. Many senior Chinese officials also attended the event.
The Awardees
According to the presidential order, the Medal of the Republic and the national honorary title was conferred on four medical professionals i.e. Zhong Nanshan, Zhang Boli, Zhang Dingyu, and Chen Wei.
Dr. Zhong Nanshan
Dr. Zhong Nanshan is an experienced epidemiologist and physician. He is known as the public face of China’s efforts against Covid-19. He is also leading China’s National Health Commission’s expert panel for investigating the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Dr. Zhong is accomplished in reassuring the public with facts and promoting community support for public health measures. He has been awarded the medal because of his integrity, dedication, academic and professional achievements. Besides that, he has also shared China’s successful efforts and treatment strategy with the entire world. He received the Medal of the Republic, which is the highest state honor.
Zhang Boli
Zhang Boli is a Chinese physician and practices Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He is the President of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Honorary President of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. He has made noteworthy contributions in the TCM and treated patients during the 2003 SARS outbreak. In addition to that, during the Covid-19 pandemic, he strongly urged to use TCM. He and his team treated patients in Jiangxia Fangcang Hospital, Wuhan, with approval from the Central Guidance Team. He was awarded the national honorary title, “the People’s Hero” for his services.
Zhang Dingyu
Zhang Dingyu is the President of the Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital. The hospital specializes in infectious diseases and is also known as a major battlefield in China’s war against Covid-19. He is an expert in infectious disease prevention and played a key role against the virus. He worked with hundreds of colleagues treating patients, since the Covid-19 outbreak. Although he was suffering amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he kept on working, tirelessly. He received the national honorary title, “the People’s Hero” for his services against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chen Wei
Chen Wei is a military medical scientist. She has made significant achievements in Covid-19 related research as well as the development of vaccines and protective medicine. Furthermore, she is working with her team to develop the recombinant Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe and has shown immunogenicity in clinical trials. The national honorary title, “the People’s Hero” was conferred upon Chen Wei for her services.
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