Obituary of Dr. Liu Zhiming
Born in December 1968, in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, China, Dr. Liu Zhiming graduated from the Medical College of Wuhan University in 1991 and started his career as a neurosurgeon. Before he was appointed the President of Wuchang Hospital in 2015, he served as the Director of Neurosurgical Department of Third Municipal Hospital of Wuhan and then it's Vice-President. When the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) hit Wuhan, his hospital was among the first group designated for the NCP treatment. He personally lead his hospital in the front line and devoted himself to the fighting against the virus day and night. The patients received the treatment in time and many survived. However, unfortunately, Dr. Liu was infected himself and transferred to the ICU on January 23. Despite comprehensive rescue, including ECMO, his condition aggravated gradually. Due to the failure of lung, Dr. Liu passed away at 10:54 am Feb 18, 2020 at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Cai Liping, Head nurse of ICU in the Third Municipal Hospital who is currently also engaged in the front line of fighting against the virus, and two children.
Dr. Liu is the 9th medical staff died at the post combatting the NCP in Wuhan and the first on-job hospital head having lost his life. The whole society expressed deep condolences to their passing away. Chinese neurosurgeons are heartbroken to lose their fine colleague. They are heroes in this smokeless battle for the sake of the city, country and world.
At the moment, more than 30 thousands medical staffs are transferred from other cities to support Wuhan and Hubei. Among them, there are over 400 are doctors and nurses from neurosurgical departments. President Xi Jingping expressed his thanks and respect to the medical staff on several occasions and issued a special instruction yesterday demanding government authorities to pay high attention to their needs, care and protection. They inspired and encouraged our colleagues to continue the fight till the end of complete control of the epidemic.
We also want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to WFNS for a letter of support written by its President Prof. Franco Servadei to the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. We are confident, in solidarity, we will win the final victory for the shared community of mankind.
Prof. Ling Feng, MD President of WFNS Special World Congress Honorary President of Chinese Congress of Neurological Surgeons
Tang Jie, MD Consultant of Neurosurgery Director of International Cooperation Department of Neurosurgery Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China China International Neuroscience Institute
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