The Chinese government has been concerned about the physical and mental health of the overseas students since the outbreak of COVID-19. Although the battle against the pandemics making progress in New Zealand, the home isolation has not been lifted due to the complexity of the pandemic. In order to help Chinese students in New Zealand properly protect themselves and relieve their psychological burden, the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in New Zealand and Tongji University’s School of Medicine jointly held a series of online lectures, introducing information about medical protection and psychological adjustment in order to safe guard the health of overseas Chinese students.
At Beijing time 10:30a.m (New Zealand time 14:30p.m.) on May 4, 2020, Professor ZHAO Xudong of Tongji University School of Medicine started the first lecture. WU Xi, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, and Academician CHEN Yihan, Vice President of Tongji University ZHENG Jialin, Dean of Tongji University School of Medicine, and Zhang Jun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tongji University School of Medicine participated in the opening ceremony of the first lecture.
Chinese students in New Zealand watched the live lectures at ZOOM. They also joined the lectures through following Tongji University's official accounts at such Chinese streaming platforms as Bilibili, Tik Tok, Kuaishou and Weibo.
Ambassador WU Xi said that the motherland is always concerned about the safety and health of overseas students. Experts from TUSM provided online lectures about basic knowledge of medical protection and mental health.
Academician Chen Yihan said that Tongji University has always closely followed the global epidemic situation and cared about the physical and mental health of overseas compatriots. It is our responsibility to provide help and to send care and warmth through this online platform.
Prof. ZHAO Xudong gave the first lecture entitled "Mental Health during the COVID-19 Outbreak". Combining with current epidemic situation in New Zealand, Prof. Zhao analyzed the sources of psychological stress, and taught how to recognize and respond to bad emotions.
On May 8, Prof. LEI Han, the vice president of East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University and the deputy dean of East and West Lake Cabin Hospital in Wuhan during the anti-epidemic period, gave a special lecture on the theme of "Fight in Wuhan-Experience in Cabin Hospital". He shared personal experience in Wuhan, from early preparations, medical management details of the shelter hospital and various measures taken during treatment, and vividly showed the work and life prospects of frontline medical personnel, deepening student’s understanding of China's true story against epidemic.
On May 12, Professor XU Jinfu, director of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, performed a lecture on Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the pandemic. Professor XU sorted out the epidemic development from etiology and epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and detection, treatment and protection.
On May 15, Prof. ZHENG Jialin gave a speech on "Practice and Guidance for Students who are ill during COVID-19 ". At beginning, Prof. ZHENG shared his experience of studying abroad, encouraged students to remember original intentions and forge ahead. He introduced the international general medical system, then give useful suggestions about how to visit a doctor abroad.
