Zhong Nanshan: Guardian of Life

Chapter 29 History Will Never Forget

On April 26, [-], CCTV's "Face to Face" broadcast an interview with academician Zhong Nanshan, which attracted widespread attention from the people of the whole country.In this talk show, Zhong Nanshan frankly answered his mental state when SARS hit, his emotions and beliefs, what he and his medical colleagues did and thought, as well as the challenges he faced and the difficulties he had overcome. The twists and turns and hardships of exploring pathogens and trying international cooperation, and frankly speaking out to correct the reasons for "control" and "containment".In the interview, Zhong Nanshan answered frankly to the sharp questions raised by the reporter: "We do a good job in our own business and disease prevention and control. This is our biggest politics. You are in your position and you can do it well." The best, this is the biggest politics.” Zhong Nanshan’s sincerity and responsibility deeply touched the people.He speaks uprightly, is upright, regardless of personal gains and losses, insists on the truth, and establishes in the hearts of the Chinese people the image of a warrior fighting against "SARS".

On April 29, [-], Zhong Nanshan accompanied the Premier of the State Council to Thailand to attend a special meeting of China-ASEAN leaders on the issue of atypical pneumonia.Accompanying Zhong Nanshan was interviewed by reporters and spoke out for China with a candid and professional attitude, which won international acclaim.Since then, Zhong Nanshan has taken it as his duty to convey a true and positive image of China's fight against SARS. Once the country needs him to speak out internationally, he never shirks it no matter how tired he is.He gritted his teeth and insisted that he was still busy on the domestic "SARS" battlefield, and he was also non-stop in more than ten countries and regions abroad.In [-], the authoritative international clinical medical journal "The Lancet" published the paper "Atypical Pathogens Emerging in Guangdong" co-authored by Zhong Nanshan and his team of researchers.This paper is a valuable document contributed by Chinese medical researchers represented by Zhong Nanshan to the fight against epidemics.

During the "SARS" period, Zhong Nanshan worked diligently, endured humiliation and sought multi-party cooperation to find the real pathogen; Hormones control the disease; he stepped forward at a critical moment, volunteered to tell the truth; he spoke out for China and maintained China's image. In the later period of SARS, Zhong Nanshan continued his arduous exploration to find the host of the virus; in 21, when rumors of the SARS re-attack spread everywhere, he broke the rumors with a righteous and realistic image, and won the people's confidence again. The "SARS" campaign ended perfectly.He is China's well-deserved warrior and hero in the fight against SARS. In the article "Standing at the Forefront of Fighting SARS" published on April [-], [-], "People's Daily" commented on Zhong Nanshan as follows: "History will never forget the selfless, fearless and courageous dedication to the prevention and treatment of SARS." The medical staff will never forget Zhong Nanshan, an outstanding representative of the Chinese medical field, a scientist at the forefront of fighting against SARS... In the fight against SARS, academician Zhong Nanshan used his fearless dedication and seeking truth from facts The scientific spirit and the fraternal spirit of saving lives from death have told us what is the bounden duty of a doctor."

Honors followed one after another. In 60, Zhong Nanshan was elected as a national advanced worker and won the National May 100st Labor Medal, the "Chinese Physician Award" of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and was also named the National Health System Advanced Individual in Fighting against "SARS", the National Prevention and Control Excellent scientific and technological worker of atypical pneumonia, one of the top ten people touched by CCTV, served as the World Health Organization's global medical consultant for chronic respiratory diseases; in [-], he was awarded the highest administrative award of the health system "Bethune Medal"; in [-], he was awarded the Chinese Respiratory Physician In [-], he was awarded the National Moral Model (Dedicated Contribution Award), the National Top Ten Scientific and Technological Talents, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Edinburgh, UK.In [-], he was selected as one of the "[-] Chinese People who moved China since the founding of New China [-] years ago".The judging committee’s comment on Zhong Nanshan is: When fighting against SARS, he took the initiative to ask Ying to treat critically ill patients with a down-to-earth attitude and a fearless spirit, and went all out to carefully formulate medical plans. It shows the rigorous academic style and high sense of responsibility of scientists.On major issues related to the success or failure of the fight against SARS, he can disregard his own honor and disgrace, overcome all opinions, and stick to the conscience of scientists.

(End of this chapter)