On March 12, 2026, Zhejiang Province announced the results of its first annual selection of “the most admirable medical workers.” GUO Renyong, head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, was among those honored. With 25 years of experience in clinical laboratory medicine, he has gained recognition for his long-standing work on the frontlines of public health and his participation in international medical aid.

Since beginning his career in 2001, GUO Renyong has been dedicated to clinical laboratory work and has taken part in responses to major public health emergencies. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, the 2013 avian influenza epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he worked on the frontlines, undertaking high-risk sample testing and providing critical data to support clinical decision-making.

As a laboratory specialist, his work is closely tied to the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. He emphasizes data precision and the standardization of testing procedures, continuously advancing laboratory quality management systems and contributing to the planning and optimization of new laboratory facilities to improve efficiency and reduce patient waiting times. At the same time, he has long been committed to training young technicians, striving to enhance the overall professional capacity of his team. In his view, “Each additional highly skilled laboratory professional means less risk and greater security for patients.”

GUO Renyong’s professional contributions extend beyond China. He has twice participated in China’s medical aid missions to Africa. In 2004, he worked in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where he carried out laboratory services under challenging medical conditions and was awarded a national honor, the Knight of the Order of Central African Merit. In October 2020, he once again traveled to Bamako, the capital of Mali, for an 18-month medical aid mission. Explaining his decision to return to Africa, he noted that “people in Africa hold extraordinary expectations, respect, and trust toward Chinese doctors.”

During his time in Mali, he also took on the role of an equipment engineer in the laboratory, helping restore key medical devices and leading the establishment of a PCR laboratory. By introducing China’s established laboratory techniques and management practices, he contributed to strengthening local diagnostic capacity. “Although life during overseas missions can be challenging, it has greatly strengthened me and allowed me to build deep friendships with local doctors and communities. I believe it is truly worthwhile,” he said.

GUO Renyong stated that participating in international medical aid is both a professional responsibility and an important way to promote understanding and cooperation among countries. Over a 25-year medical career, he has embodied the core values of a dedicated healthcare professional: placing patients at the center, taking responsibility seriously, and safeguarding every life with care and commitment.

Adapted and translated from the article written by ZHU Yaokun & CHEN Qilisha
Translator: HUANG Zhuoyao ('2025 PhD, International Affairs & Global Governance)
Photo: The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Editor: HAN Xiao, GAO Wanlu