Date: June 30, 2023

Translator: CHEN Xiyue

When the alarm goes off at 6 a.m., the neurosurgeon Augustine K. Ballah is ready to get up for a new day of work at the First Affiliated Hospital of JNU. Ballah, whose Chinese name is Bai Jun, comes from Liberia, 15,000 kilometers away in western Africa. “In Liberia, which is experiencing a shortage of talent in the field of neurosurgery, only two doctors can perform specialty procedures,” he said. “I am actually the second neurosurgeon in Liberia.” Receiving support from the China-Africa Neurosurgery Training Program of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies in 2019, Bai came to JNU to be trained as a neurosurgeon. 

Bai is no stranger to China, where he is realizing his medical dreams step by step. After first coming to China in 2011 to study Chinese language for a year, which laid a solid foundation for his medical knowledge, he did his undergraduate study at Hebei University Health Science Center. After graduation I returned to Liberia and learned from the only neurosurgeon, Bai said. He said he felt great honor and delight to be in China again, to communicate with and learn from China's top doctors, and to work hard for his dreams. 

(Bai doing case presentation in a morning meeting)

(Bai using a medical instrument)

When talking about me in the future, people in Liberia will definitely talk about China and JNU, Bai said emotionally. Having lived in China for more than 10 years, I am half-Chinese. His Life as a Neurosurgery Resident page on Facebook shares his experiences in China: his study and work, including morning and evening shifts, daily surgery, weekly group meetings and discussions with professors and scholars. He shares photos with colleagues and stories to express his appreciation and friendship. He shares what he has learned at professional conferences about the latest developments in  neurosurgery. He shares his achievements, books published and certificates of training. 

(Bai performing surgery)

(Bai's Facebook page sharing his feelings about going into medicine in China at the start of 2021)

(A selfie)

As the second neurosurgeon in Liberia, I enjoy attention from doctors and students all over the country, he said. Many patients who have come to me before know that I am pursuing further training in China and will return in the future with medical experience and technology learned in China.

(Bai taking part in a conference)