Malaysian doctor Yang Yongkang works in the Department of Liver Surgery at Renji Hospital in Shanghai. He is the first foreign doctor to obtain a medical license in China. Practicing in Shanghai for 10 years, his journey is widely viewed as being a testament to the power of perseverance.

Realizing medical dreams in China

After graduating from Tianjin Medical University in 2006, Yang was recommended for postgraduate studies at Tongji University School of Medicine. On earning his master's degree, he interned at East Hospital affiliated to Tongji University.

In 2014, a new policy allowed foreigners to register as practicing physicians with a Chinese medical license. And so it was that Yang became the first foreign doctor to be registered and practice in China.

Yang focuses intensely as he performs surgery. [Photo/Tongji University]

Specializing in pediatric liver transplants

Yang's pursuit of excellence did not cease after he began practicing.

In 2019, he read a news report about Professor Xia Qiang leading a team from Renji Hospital to perform Malaysia's first pediatric living donor liver transplant. Inspired by Xia's philosophy of "teaching a man to fish," Yang decided to pursue a doctorate degree under his mentorship. In September 2020, Yang was admitted to Professor Xia's doctoral program, graduating in 2023 and officially joining the Department of Liver Surgery at Renji Hospital.

"My specialty is pediatric liver transplantation" he said. "I find it incredibly meaningful. For children, receiving a new liver is like being reborn" Yang added.

First foreign stem cell donor in China

Beyond his medical career, Yang is also a distinguished volunteer.

Since arriving in China for his studies, he has donated blood over 100 times. Whenever he has a bit of free time after surgery, he heads straight to the Shanghai Blood Center to donate two units of platelets.

In 2012, Yang made history by successfully donating bone marrow stem cells, saving the life of a 7-year-old leukemia patient and becoming China's first foreign stem cells donor.

Yang is a frequent donor at Shanghai's blood donation centers. [Photo/Tongji University]

Rooted in Shanghai

Yang has lived in China for 23 years and has been settled in Shanghai for 18 years. In 2013, he married a Shanghai girl, becoming a son-in-law of the city. He often expresses his gratitude for realizing his childhood dream in China, particularly in Shanghai.

Looking ahead, Yang says his goal is not to achieve fame but to be a dedicated doctor – continually honing his medical skills and serving patients, with the belief that progress in medicine is made step by step.

Source: Tongji University