The Jian Hua Foundation (JHF) is an international charitbale organisation dedicated to serving the peoples of China. 'Jian Hua' means 'Build China' and believes in service with professional integrity. It seeks through its programmes and through those it introduces to China to demonstrate practical Christian love. Founded in 1981 and based in Hong Kong, JHF has well over 200 staff and associates from 21 nations working in various parts of China. It is registered with the Government's State Administration for Foreign Expert Affairs in Beijing as an approved overseas organisation for recruiting professionals.

JHFMS has been involved in short-term medical programmes in China for the last 15 years. Over the last 10 years JHF has opened representative offices in Xining City and Tianjin City from which new medical training initiatives has been started.

This article details our main medical projects, outlines current vacancies and provides contact details as appropriate in the following areas:

1. Introduction to China's healthcare
2. Western China
3. Eastern China
4. Midwifery training
5. Student Electives
6. Vacancies
7. Contact Details

1. Introduction to China's healthcare
   Healthcare services in China have undergone major changes since it adopted an open-door policy to the rest of the world during the 1980s. The major shift in healthcare provision has been from a socialised service to the market system of today. The introduction of market forces has meant that health providers are now competing to provide services. Whilst this has led to significant benefits for the more affluent areas, the associated healthcare costs mean that these services are fast becoming unaffordable for much of the general population.



2. Western China
   JHF has had a representative office in Xining City, the provincial capital of Qinghai province, since January 1998. JHF Qinghai personnel are currently involved with development work in several counties across the province. This includes building small schools, literacy work and a vocational training programme amongst Tibetan groups. Medical work has been an integral part of these projects.
   
   The main medical projects is based in Huangnan Prefecture and works with the local hospital (HPH) which has 150 beds. It is situated in the town of Tongren and should be the main referral hospital for the prefecture. However, due to limitations in the services it can provide, patients are often required to go to more expensive Xining hospitals which are more than 3 hours away from Tongren.
   
   The HPH already has an infrastructure in place. The aim of the Huangnan Prefecture Hospital Development Initiative of JHFMS is to work alongside the current hospital leadership to enhance the existing facility and the services it can provide in order that the poorest of the poor may benefit.
   
   The initiative has four focus groups: HPH doctors; ophthalmology doctors from three county hospitals; doctors of township hospitals; and individual patients seen by JHFMS doctors. The two main priorities are to improve healthcare provision in the HPH and to help at township clinic level by training doctors and nurses at a post-graduate level.
   
   JHFMS also work amongst nurses. There is overlap in the work of nurses and doctors at township clinic level, and therefore JHFMS is employing training measures which are relevant to doctors and nurses and are most beneficial to local communities.



3. Eastern China
   Medical projects in Eastern China are divided between Tianjin City, Qing County, Tongliao District and Inner Mongolia.
   
   Current projects include the following:
   
   1. Samaritan Fund
   2. Village medical clinics
   3. Community preventative health training
   4. Medical & Dental Equipment Subsidies
   5. Health & Hygiene training
   6. Training Nurses
   
   The health needs are staggering. Hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke are rampant. There are also frequent trauma cases, suicides and childbirth problems. All of the local health problems are aggravated by the fact that, according to research people in the area do not seek medical attention until their conditions are in advanced, and often untreatable,stages. JHFMS plans to continue to offer relevant medical and nursing training, subsidize medical equipment and work together with local health professionals in an effort to educate the communities about preventative health.



4. Midwifery Training
   JHFMS currently runs midwifery training in Yangqu County, north of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. Township and village doctors are being trained to provide antenatal and postnatal care to women in twelve villages.
   
   Regular training days are organised throughout the year. Even though JHFMS try to make the training sessions as practical as possible, there is also follow up to what has been taught during these days on village visits.
   
   The emphasis is on helping the doctors to understand each stage of the clinical management. Public health education is another important aspect of this programme.



5. Medical student electives
   JHFMS can help to set up an elective placement in China, in particular Tianjin or Xining City where the medical projects are based. At present, larger city hospitals are generally very open to hosting Western doctors and medical students. Applications can be made to the hospital directors. This can be done directly from overseas but it is always helpful to have people 'on the ground' in China. JHFMS have many contacts in major Chinese cities and in rural areas to achieve this purpose. An agreement has been made with the Red Cross Hospital in Xining to receive medical students approved by JHF for medical elective periods.



6. Vacancies
   JHFMS are actively seeking medical personnel to be involved an almost all of their projects. Current vacancies are detailed below.
   
   Foreign short-term medical experts
   This can include any field of medicine. According to JHFMS' agreement with the Red Cross Hospital in Xining, visiting medical experts recruited to lecture for the Red Cross Hospital's in-service training programme can also be invited to visit Huangnan Prefecture Hospital to give relevant input and teaching.
   
   For visiting health professionals it is a very enjoyable experience as the hosts 'roll out of the red carpet' and are very hospitable. For local doctors who have limited access to specialist training, these visits are rare opportunities to discuss medical subjects with expert overseas colleagues.
   
   Foreign long-term medical experts
   These are several opportunities to be involved on a long-term basis with JHFMS in China. Mandarin language ability and a commitment to a minimum of 5 years are essential prior to entering the work.
   
   Director of Medical Services
   As the medical work of the Foundation has grown over the past five years it has become clear that a director of medical services in China is necessary to oversee the running of the medical and allied projects.
   
   Requirements
   1. Fluency in conversational Mandarin and English
   2. Medical or paramedical training
   3. Commitment to a minimum of 5 years work in China
   4. Leadership and organisational skills
   
   Preferences
   1. Be a medically qualified doctor
   2. Have sufficient experience to command respect in academic circles both within and outside China.
   3. Experience in business and people management.
   4. A sound working knowledge of public health and the current challenges facing the Chinese medical system
   5. A formal qualification in 3. or 4.
   
   Elecive Students
   Prospective elective students should send dates for the elective. They should also include a list of their preferences such as location, medical specialty and type of supervision desired. An indication of their Chinese language proficiency and any other relevant information relating to China with an up to date CV should also be included. With this information JHFMS will then suggest the options available and will approach a local hospital which is most suitable. The host hospital may then want to make other suggestions or simply agree to the proposed elective. At least six months notice is recommended and only 7 students a year are taken on currently.
   
   
7. Contact Details
   Applications for all projects will need to go through a full application procedure. Longer term workers are likely to need several interviews. More details are available on all of the above. If interested, please write to the relevant person below who will send more details. Currently JHFMS is not in a position to salary or pension any of our associates. The majority are supported by personal contacts in their country of origin.
   
   Head Office: Hong Kong
   Mr Martin Thorman, Director of Personnel and Administration
   (Martin will deal with all enquiries, except short-term, outside of the UK and Europe)
   martin.thorman@jhf-hk.org
   PO Box 71675, Kowloon CPO, Hong Kong
   Hong Kong Office: Tel: +852 2336 5312; Fax: +852 2337 2965
   JHF Website: http://www.jhf-hk.org
   JHF email: info@jhf-hk.org
   
   All Short term projects
   Mr Doug Plummer, European Co-ordinator
   jhfshortterm@aol.com
   
   UK and Europe
   Dr Douglas Noble, UK Medical Rep
   (Douglas will deal with all enquiries, except short-term, from the UK and Europe)
   douglas.noble@doctors.org.uk