Guangxi, China – On September 25, 2022, the Wet Lab (Animal Lab) of the Medical Simulation Center was officially opened in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. The same day also successfully witnessed the inauguration ceremony of the Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Training Center jointly built by the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as MicroPort^® MedBot^®).

The ceremony was attended by Prof. Jinmin Zhao, President of Guangxi Medical University, Prof. Weifeng Wu, Vice President of the University, Prof. Decheng Lu, Director of the University’s President Office, Prof. Junqiang Chen, President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Mr. Yu Liu, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of MicroPort^® MedBot^®, other leaders of the hospital, delegates of functional departments, delegates of clinical department directors, young teachers and student representatives. Prof. Xiaoyan Pan, Vice President of the Hospital, presided over the ceremony.

As the only large-scale platform in Guangxi that has fully functional laboratories comprising mechanical simulation, analogue simulation and animal simulation, the Medical Simulation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University covers an area of over 10,000 square meters, among which the Wet Lab of the Medical Simulation Center occupies 1,700 square meters and is equipped with simulation training systems for surgical robots, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, interventional surgery, arthroscopic surgery and endoscopic surgery, where the animal experiment platform is provided for a large number of trainees to carry out animal surgery, scientific research, drug R&D, and cooperation between hospitals and enterprises, which marks a substantial step in building a comprehensive, multi-dimensional and multi-level medical talent training system in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University.

Prof. Jinmin Zhao, President of Guangxi Medical University, said in his speech, "The opening of the Wet Lab of the Medical Simulation Center carries the great expectations of the National Health Commission Talent Exchange Center and the National Institute of Hospital Administration, NHC as well as all walks of life for our hospital. It also manifests the significant strategic deployment of our university to build a model of medical education at the regional level to become a trailblazer in cultivating regional medical personnel. It is our firm belief that with the support and promotion of all parties, it will be well-positioned to serve as a medical talent training base in the new era that leads the region, facing the whole country, and wield its influence in ASEAN in the future."

Prof. Junqiang Chen, President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, said, "As a teaching hospital, we continuously dig deep into the advantages and potential of medical education integration, and are committed to build a simulation medical center covering doctors in successive undergraduate-master-doctor programs, resident doctors who receive standardized training, and doctors pursuing further education, forging a clinical ability simulation training system integrating teaching, examination, training and scientific research. The Wet Lab of the Medical Simulation Center opened today is another functional expansion of the platform’s innovation, which will become the core platform to empower doctors to pursue academic excellence. This marks a significant step forward for our hospital thanks to the Medical Simulation Center of over 10,000 square meters, whose large scale, cutting-edge equipment, comprehensive training systems, and powerful lineup of talents figure prominently in South China and the country at large. We will rely on these platforms to continue our journey in medical education and training, build the first-class, cross-regional simulation teaching platform both online and offline in China and beyond, and conduct large-scale enrollment and demonstration training in Guangxi province, other parts of China, and overseas countries that maintain friendly relations with our country. With a focus on strengthening training qualifications, training standards, and training materials, we strive to build a refined platform for the whole system of medical simulation education, so as to build a cradle for the cultivation of China-ASEAN medical talents."

The Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Training Center jointly established by the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and MicroPort^® MedBot^® is the first domestic robotic surgery training center in Guangxi so far, and the domestically cutting-edge Toumai® Laparoscopic Surgical Robot was introduced into the center since its establishment. The center aims to cultivate multidisciplinary, multi-level certified surgical robot surgeons and nurses for southwest regions, thus providing a broader stage and greater development opportunities for the training base of excellent medical talents, and allowing patients to have access to universal, advanced minimally invasive preoperative plans. The Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Training Center will rely on the abundant medical talents and the Medical Simulation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, in an effort to build an influential robotic surgery simulation teaching platform.

Mr. Yu Liu, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the MicroPort^® MedBot^®, said that the Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Training Center in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University will play a leading, exemplary role, so that the minimally invasive surgeries in the province can grow in an intensive manner. The establishment of the training center will enable more surgeons to receive professional robotic surgery training. Empowered by the 5G remote technology, the training will reach prefecture- and county-level hospitals via telemedicine, so as to fulfill the corporate vision to "Make Surgery Easier, Safer and Less Invasive".