Out-of-town specialists conducted consultations at major hospitals in Baotou from Nov 11 to 15.

One female resident with the surname Miao led her father to Baogang Hospital for a follow-up examination on Nov 13. Dr Liu Yuansheng, deputy director of the Emergency Department at Peking University People's Hospital provided them with a consultation.

A month earlier, Ms Miao's father, during a routine follow-up on his heart surgery, showed indications of possible heart failure. Their family had been in a state of anxiety for a month as they wrestled with the problem of how to seek effective treatment.

"If we went to Beijing for that, considering my father's poor health, he probably wouldn't be able to endure the long journey and the challenges of seeking medical care and finding accommodation in another city," she said.

"Fortunately, some famous doctors from Beijing are providing consultations in Baotou. After the examination, we found that my father's condition wasn't critical," she added.

A department chief at the Baotou Health Commission had more to say on the matter.

"In fact, Baotou now has many high-quality medical resources, including a large number of locally acclaimed doctors and visiting specialists who are collaborating with various medical institutions," said the official.

In August, Dr Liu was appointed as a specialist expert at Baogang Hospital. Every Monday and Tuesday, he conducts outpatient services at the Cardiovascular Department, during which time he also provides lectures to doctors at a local hospital.

Dr Liu makes house calls at Baogang Hospital in Baotou. [Photo/WeChat account of Baotou Daily]

In addition to Baogang Hospital, six other hospitals in Baotou, including the fourth Hospital of Baotou, have invited 39 experts from leading hospitals to lend their services, such as Beijing Children's Hospital, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, and Beijing Stomatological Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University.

Du Peng (left), an expert from Peking University Cancer Hospital, operates on a patient at Sinopharm North Hospital in Baotou. [Photo/WeChat account of Baotou Daily]

The fields covered include pediatrics, traditional Chinese medicine, pain management, neurosurgery, cardiovascular internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, among other disciplines.

Moreover, 52 experts from Peking University Cancer Hospital regularly come to Baotou to carry out cutting-edge practices and engage in academic exchanges.

Through collaboration with nationally renowned hospitals, Baotou has introduced 24 new technologies and implemented 33 new services this year, comprehensively enhancing the city's medical treatments, specialty development, and medical education and research capabilities.

Information about visiting specialists was publicized in tweets released by the Baotou Health Commission, and the commission will continue to consolidate and release information about visiting specialists, helping residents to seek and receive the most appropriate and high-level medical treatment.