This free clinic was jointly initiated and organized by the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Chinese Revolutionary Committee, the "Military Spouse Home” of Retired Military Personnel Service Center in Haikou, and the subsidiaries of Hainan Chengmei Medical Groups, including Hainan Cancer Hospital, Hainan Chengmei Hospital, Health Management Center of Hainan Cancer Hospital , as well as the Hainan Chengmei Foundation. The free clinic offered color ultrasound examinations for three common female diseases: breast, thyroid, and gynecological conditions, as well as HPV screening for high-risk individuals.
The activity was warmly welcomed by a large number of female friends. On the evening of the information release, all 500 appointment slots for the free clinic were quickly taken. Some organizations and groups even tried to "pull wires through the back door" to request additional appointment slots.
On March 8th, before the start of the free clinic, Ms. Chen and her friends arrived at the clinic site early. They presented their appointment vouchers to the staff at the Health Management Center of Hainan Cancer Hospital, who warmly and patiently guided them to receive the registration forms for the free clinic. Inside the ultrasound room, the doctors of the Ultrasound Department carefully examined the female friends.
"The service at this hospital is really good. There was no compromise in quality just because it was a free clinic." "The ultrasound specialists conducted thorough examinations and the interpretation of the reports was clear and easy to understand." After completing all the examinations, Ms. Chen said,
This free clinic event received strong support from the newly established “Army Spouses Home” of the Haikou Veterans Service Center. As a military spouse, Ms. Cheng expressed her great joy in being able to participate in the free clinic event on International Womens Day. She expressed that it was the hospitals spirit of compassion and love that made her and other military spouses feel the care and support from society. According to incomplete statistics, a total of 114 military spouses participated in this free clinic event.
At the free clinic site, experts from the Provincial Cancer Hospital, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Breast Surgery Department, and Head and Neck Surgery Department of Hainan Chengmei Hospital provided free consultation, education, and report interpretation services for female participants.
Ms. Wen from Haikou received a thyroid color Doppler ultrasound examination result that indicated a 4b level thyroid nodule. She appeared worried and anxiously approached the on-site head and neck specialist to interpret the results.
The head and neck specialist not only patiently interpreted the report for Ms. Wen but also gave her comforting words. They carefully provided treatment suggestions based on the examination results, addressing her concerns and guiding her on the next steps to take. "I am especially grateful for this free clinic, otherwise, this time bomb may not have been discovered until who knows when." Ms. Wen said.
Early screening benefits all parties involved. Niu Tiehong, Director of the Health Management Center at Hainan Cancer Hospital, stated that with the advancement of modern medical technology, the early detection rate of tumors has significantly improved. Early intervention and treatment methods have become more scientific and diverse, including minimally invasive and non-invasive treatment options, which cause minimal harm to the patients.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and ranks fourth among newly diagnosed cancers in women globally. For high-risk groups aged 30-65, the free clinic offered free HPV (cervical cancer) screening.
Cao Aie, Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Hainan Cancer Hospital and an expert at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, suggested that sexually active women should undergo HPV screening at least once every 2-3 years. High-risk individuals are advised to undergo annual screening. Even after receiving the HPV vaccine, regular cervical cancer screenings are still necessary to ensure early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
During the free clinic, the medical staff of the Health Management Center at the hospital mobilized all members and provided reception and service in accordance with the "VIP" standards. Physicians of ultrasound and related clinical department consecutively give up their breaks and work hard to provide good service meticulously.
The free consultation event lasted for 3 days and not only created a positive atmosphere for womens health care but also enhanced the sense of achievement, happiness, and security for female participants. Additionally, it greatly increased womens self-care awareness.
Free clinic activity site
Text and picture(s) from Fei Huang and Li Hongyi