'Bethune in Daqing' Spreads Love, Light

Popova Lilia Anatolievna, from Kazakhstan, is chief foreign expert at Daqing Ophthalmology Hospital, in Daqing, in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. During the past 26 years, while working at the hospital, Popova has relieved more than 200,000 patients of pain and darkness. She enjoys a good reputation among her patients and their families for her kindness, dedication and excellent medical skills, and she has forged deep friendships with countless patients. 

"A doctor should not only have rich knowledge and experience, but also understand the pain of the patients. Only those who are willing to help and save their patients can be regarded as good doctors," she often tells her colleagues. 

In addition to treating patients at the hospital, Popova has participated in free clinic activities, organized by the hospital, and provided free medical services to numerous patients who live in the rural areas of Daqing, and in other cities in Heilongjiang Province. 

While providing free medical services in the countryside over the decades, Popova has witnessed remarkable changes in China's rural areas. "In the past, we usually treated the patients in shabby village clinics, or in rooms provided by villagers. Now, the village clinics and hospitals have been constructed and they are providing us with quite a comfortable working environment. And the villagers' living standards have also been greatly improved," Popova says. 

Popova, commonly referred to as "Bethune in Daqing," in 2005 was awarded the Friendship Award, the highest honor granted by the Chinese Government to foreign experts, for her unremitting efforts and remarkable contributions to the development of ophthalmology in China. In 2008, Popova was awarded the title of Daqing Honorary Citizen. She received permanent resident status in China in 2016. 

Popova was invited to attend the ceremonies to celebrate both the 60th and 70th anniversaries of the founding of the PRC, held at Tian'anmen Square, in Beijing, in 2009 and 2019. 

"I love China. China is my home. Chinese are very friendly. My colleagues and friends make me feel the warmth of a big family. I feel proud of being able to contribute to China's healthcare cause. I expect China will strengthen the development of advanced ophthalmological equipment, cultivate high-level ophthalmologists and promote international medical exchanges and cooperation," Popova says. 

Despite her age, she says she has never considered the notion of retirement. "I know that I am gradually getting older, but I still intend to work as long as I can see, my heart still beats, and I still have my patients' trust," she says.

Photos from Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly October 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha