190th Anniversary: China's First Western Hospital Inherits Legacy and Starts New Chapter

Background

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, celebrated its 190th anniversary on November 4, 2025. Established in 1835, it is recognized as China's first Western hospital and the origin of Western medicine and Western medical education in the country. The revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen studied medicine there using the name "Yixian" and engaged in revolutionary activities.

The anniversary events included an academic forum titled "The Propagation and Development of Modern Medicine." National, provincial, and municipal leaders, domestic and international experts, representatives from Sun Yat-sen University and affiliated hospitals, and hospital staff attended. The program featured the release of a hospital development report, a signing ceremony for international cooperation with Semmelweis University in Hungary, and the unveiling of the "190 Moments: Light and Shadow Witness" themed photography exhibition. A promotional video titled "Pioneer 190" was released.

What was achieved

The hospital currently has 17 national clinical key specialties in fields including internal medicine, oncology, and neurology. It holds qualifications to perform liver, kidney, heart, and lung transplants. Clinical firsts and innovations highlighted include the world's first total laparoscopic full liver transplantation, laparoscopic intraoperative navigation for breast-conserving surgery in breast cancer cases, and nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation (nsPFA) surgery for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

In research, 2024 saw approval for the National Natural Science Foundation of China Basic Science Center, the only one in Guangdong Province's medical field. The hospital became one of China's first institutions with dual filing for stem cell and somatic cell clinical research. The team of Academician Song Erwei proposed the tumor ecology theory, which has gained wide academic attention and recognition. Progress in medical-engineering integration has supported development of domestic surgical robots, a COVID-19 AI-assisted diagnosis system, and a portable artificial intelligence ultrasound bone density instrument.

Additional milestones include establishment of a precision tumor treatment center, a multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment consultation center, and China's first public breast tumor hospital. The hospital participates in medical aid programs supporting Xinjiang, Tibet, and overseas regions.

How it works

Total laparoscopic liver transplantation is a minimally invasive technique for replacing a diseased liver. Traditional open surgery requires a large abdominal incision, often over 30 centimeters in a "Mercedes-Benz" shape. In the approach performed by Professor Liu Chao's team, surgeons use four 1-centimeter laparoscopic ports for instruments and a camera plus one 12-centimeter upper abdominal incision primarily for removal of the diseased liver and insertion of the donor organ. Dissection of the diseased liver and implantation steps, including precise vascular anastomoses, are completed under laparoscopic visualization. The magnified laparoscopic view supports accuracy while reducing blood loss and surgical trauma. One reported case involved a patient beginning oral intake on postoperative day three, becoming mobile on day four, and discharging on day 11.

Nanosecond pulsed field ablation (nsPFA) treats paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by targeting the pulmonary vein-left atrial junction. It delivers ultra-short, high-voltage electrical pulses lasting only nanoseconds. These pulses create temporary pores in cell membranes through electroporation, interrupting faulty electrical pathways that trigger irregular heart rhythms. Unlike thermal ablation methods, it avoids heat-related damage to nearby structures such as the esophagus or phrenic nerve. Preclinical comparisons showed nsPFA produces transmural lesions comparable to microsecond pulsed field ablation but with significantly reduced muscle contractions, potentially allowing procedures with lighter sedation rather than general anesthesia.

What it means for international patients

The hospital has been included in the first batch of Guangdong Province's International Medical Service Pilot Hospitals. Medical tourism guides note that it features an International Medical Center offering services to expatriates, VIP patients, and international visitors, with English-language support available in some contexts. Its Huadu campus operates as Guangzhou Airport Medical Center, located near Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and positioned for greater international access.

Patients from overseas may find the hospital's strengths in oncology, organ transplantation, cardiology, neurology, and minimally invasive techniques relevant. The hospital maintains international collaborations, including the recent memorandum with Semmelweis University. Availability of specific services, eligibility for international medical tourism programs, required documentation, insurance acceptance, and language interpretation must be confirmed directly with the hospital prior to travel.

About the hospital

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University is a tertiary Grade A comprehensive public hospital located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It is affiliated with Sun Yat-sen University and operates multiple campuses, including the main Yuexiu District site and the Huadu campus. The hospital follows a research-oriented development path, aiming to build a world-class institution with Chinese characteristics focused on difficult and critical diseases, scientific innovation, and integrated theory-clinical-translation systems.

It is known for its 17 national clinical key specialties, organ transplantation program (with national rankings in complex liver transplantation noted in prior years), oncology services, and medical innovation output. Patent authorizations and international patents rank highly within Guangdong. The institution traces its legacy to pioneering Western medicine in China while advancing contemporary clinical care, research, and medical education.