From April 13 to April 26, a number of spine and neurosurgeons from Nepal, Mexico, Uzbekistan and Nigeria gathered at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine to attend the Belt and Road International Training Course on Spinal Endoscopy, a project approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

Carlos Mauricio Luna Cano, a spine surgeon who travelled all the way from Mexico, remarked, “It takes 25-26 hours to fly from Mexico to Yiwu, yet it is absolutely worthwhile. Distance poses no barrier when you are genuinely eager to learn. I know Director Hu is a leading authority in international spine surgery. UBE techniques are also being performed in my country, but there are obvious gaps in concepts, procedures and technical details compared with China.”

Muhammad Yusuf, a neurosurgeon from Uzbekistan, commented, “We have observed numerous live surgeries, which were truly impressive. This training has brought me tremendous gains. Upon returning home, I will immediately apply these techniques and carry out more modern, high-quality minimally invasive operations.”

Aimed at spine surgeons from developing countries along the Belt and Road, this training course systematically disseminates minimally invasive spinal endoscopic techniques. Adopting a teaching model that combines theoretical lectures with hands-on simulation practice, the program enables participants to fully master the fundamental principles of spinal endoscopy, surgical indications and contraindications, operative skills, and management of common lesions. Committed to promoting international exchanges and cooperation on minimally invasive spine concepts, the training seeks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of spinal diseases in developing countries and enhance patients' quality of life.This training program is more than ordinary continuing education. It is a state-level technology-oriented international training project officially approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, one of only six such selected programs in Zhejiang Province, and the sole national-level training project on medical surgical techniques selected by Zhejiang University in 2025.

As the only clinical training center for biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS/UBE) in Zhejiang Province, the Minimally Invasive Spine Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine has been accredited as the Zhejiang Clinical Training Center of the International UBE Society. It also hosted the 5th National UBE Training Course. Boasting domestically leading technical proficiency and capability in managing complex cases, the center offers a professional learning and training platform for spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain physicians at home and abroad.