GROWTH FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Shen Fuqiong, 33, has worked at a hospital on a 4,000-meter-high plateau for 13 years. In 2009, Shen chose to go to Maqiong Township in Ganze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, to work at the local hospital after graduating from university.

Her choice to work in the remote county was inspired by the Three Supports and One Assistance program, launched by the Central Government in 2006 to encourage college graduates to work in rural areas to support the development of education, agriculture and medical services (the Three Supports) and assist in poverty alleviation (the One Assistance).

Shen recalled that when she first arrived at the township hospital after a two-day bus ride, she found that there were only two doctors and there was no tap water or electricity. Although she had prepared herself mentally, she was still shocked