Public health issues are closely related to the well-being of people in all countries and the future of humanity. To better promote the construction of a global health governance system, School of Global Health, Chinese Centre for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine conducted the “A feasibility study on the elimination of schistosomiasis in Southeast Asia by sharing China’s lessons” program, relying on Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s 2024 Global Challenge Program. The research team consisted of faculty and students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute (Lao TPHI). This research program was divided into domestic and international phases. Domestically, the focus was on learning and summarizing China’s experience in eliminating schistosomiasis, while internationally, the feasibility of applying this experience in Southeast Asia was studied, contributing Chinese wisdom to the global effort to eliminate schistosomiasis.
During the summer of 2024, the domestic practice activities of the program officially commenced with an opening ceremony led by Prof. Xiao-Nong Zhou, Vice Dean of the School of Global Health at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Over 20 students from 15 diverse disciplines, including clinical medicine, public health, electronics and computer science, and environmental science and engineering, gathered to explore global public health. Prof. Zhou detailed the implementation plan of the program, clarified the team's foundation and expected outcomes, and laid a solid strategic foundation for the practice activities. Experts presented on topics like "Schistosoma Infection and Pathogenesis" and "Biology and Control of Intermediate Host Snails in Asia," emphasizing China's schistosomiasis control efforts and international cooperation, particularly in Laos and Cambodia, showcasing China's innovative global health solutions.
Field visits to Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, including Jiangxiang Village in Changshu and the Suzhou CDC, allowed the team to explore the fields and participate in interactive science education activities, gaining a profound understanding of the close connections between the environment, human health, and economic development. In Jiangxiang Village, students observed how integrating schistosomiasis control with rural revitalization has improved both health and development. These experiences deepened their understanding of China's achievements in schistosomiasis control and underscored their responsibility to contribute to global public health efforts, fostering innovation and leadership in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Internationally, a seminar at the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute attracted over 50 participants, including experts from the Lao Center for Malaria, Parasitology, and Entomology, and the WHO Laos Office. Prof. Zhou shared insights on China's achievements in schistosomiasis control, and China donated advanced medical equipment to Laos, boosting its infectious disease response capabilities.
The team traveled to southern Laos, specifically the Pakse area, where they divided into two groups to conduct field investigations. The sampling and testing group collaborated with local health authorities in Champasak Province, developing a sampling plan and distributing stool collection cups on Done Som and Done Xiangphai Islands to raise self-monitoring awareness. They also conducted water sampling and investigated Oncomelania snails along the Mekong River. Concurrently, the interview research group engaged with the Pakse Health Research Institute and Khong District Health Department to discuss schistosomiasis prevalence and control measures, highlighting the complexity of disease transmission in diverse environments.
On Done Som Island, the team carried out health education activities, engaging with students and residents of Hangsom Village. They distributed educational pamphlets and explained the transmission, prevention, and treatment of schistosomiasis, integrating global health concepts into local life and merging science with human care. The team also assisted village doctors in collecting blood samples and employed the Kato-Katz technique to test stool samples for schistosomiasis. Concurrently, the sampling and testing group conducted environmental and snail sampling, planning to use molecular techniques to analyze transmission clues, thereby providing scientific support for the region's schistosomiasis control strategies.
The project concluded with a summary meeting where participants reviewed fieldwork and shared preliminary results. At the meeting, leaders from the health departments of China and Laos, experts, scholars, and student representatives gathered to review the program team's fieldwork in Laos and share preliminary results. Chinese students gave detailed presentations on their achievements in areas such as survey data collection, sample gathering, environmental sampling, and laboratory testing, highlighting the initial outcomes of applying China's schistosomiasis prevention and control experience in practice. Lao students shared, from their local perspective, the specific challenges they face in the prevention and control of schistosomiasis and the measures they are taking to address these challenges. This two-way exchange of experiences reflected the mutual learning and growth within global health collaboration.
The project by Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine systematically evaluates the potential for applying China’s schistosomiasis control experience in Southeast Asia, thereby promoting public health cooperation and providing practical support to Laos. By offering a platform for China's active role in global health governance, this endeavor also provides young students with valuable insights into global health challenges, reinforcing their sense of mission. This effort marks a significant step forward in global health collaboration; through experience sharing and collaborative mechanisms, it aims not only to eliminate schistosomiasis in Southeast Asia but also to strengthen the global health governance system.
