National Expert Committee on Congenital Heart Disease Prevention and Treatment under the National Center for Telemedicine and Internet Medicine Officially Launched

On December 13, the “Expert Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Congenital Heart Disease of the National Telemedicine and Internet Medicine Center” (hereinafter referred to as the “Special Committee”) was established in Beijing, jointly hosted by the National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, the National Telemedicine and Internet Medicine Center, and the Pediatric Heart Center of Beijing Anzhen Hospital.

As a strategic partner of the Special Committee, the digital health platform WeDoctor will leverage digital technologies to replicate the expertise of the Committee’s specialists. Through remote consultations, two-way referrals, and remote education, it will maximize the potential of these experts, enabling congenital heart disease patients across China to access professional medical and healthcare services from leading specialists without leaving their homes.

At the inaugural ceremony of the special committee, experts from multiple hospitals across China, including China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Fuwai Cardiovascular Disease Hospital, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, and Nanjing Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, discussed topics such as integrated medical and surgical management of complex congenital heart disease, recent advances in treatment, and comprehensive perioperative care.

Congenital heart disease is one of the primary “culprits” threatening the lives and health of children in China. Data show that 7–8 out of every 1,000 newborns are affected by congenital cardiac malformations or defects, with more than 120,000–150,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Weak diagnostic and treatment capabilities at the primary care level, coupled with high treatment costs, hinder early detection, diagnosis, and timely intervention for congenital heart disease.

Professor Su Junwu, newly elected as the Chairman of the Special Committee, is a Chief Physician in the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex congenital heart diseases, valvular heart diseases, and other challenging conditions. To improve the diagnostic rate and treatment success rate for patients with congenital heart disease, Director Su has repeatedly traveled to Lhasa, Urumqi, Xining, Yinchuan, Aba, and other regions to conduct tertiary prevention training workshops or provide surgical guidance on congenital heart disease. These efforts aim to strengthen awareness and enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in grassroots areas.

Amidst the scarcity and uneven distribution of high-quality medical resources, professional digital health platforms are playing a pivotal role in maximizing the impact of the “doctor-centric-to-patient” care model, thereby benefiting a broader population through efficient connectivity and precise matching.

Director Su Junwu stated, “By leveraging internet platforms to integrate advanced resources for the prevention and treatment of congenital heart disease across China, and by promoting the three-tier prevention and control system for congenital heart disease, we play a significant role in advancing lifelong management and treatment of this condition.”

As of October 2020, the WeDoctor platform operated 16 physical medical institutions and 30 internet hospitals, connecting more than 7,600 hospitals, over 250,000 doctors, and more than 214 million users across China. Patients with congenital heart disease can search for specialists by name or condition via the WeDoctor App, enabling online consultations from home to receive timely treatment.