On December 20, the 2020 Zijin Forum and the Summit on Brain Injury and Rehabilitation of Higher-Order Neurological Functions were held in Nanjing. Eight renowned domestic experts delivered academic presentations on related topics, sharing their latest research findings. During the forum, the “Love Accompanies Childhood” charitable assistance program was officially launched. Over the next year, Nanjing Zijin Hospital will allocate a special fund of RMB 200,000 to support young patients from low-income families under the age of 16.

　　Traumatic brain injury is associated with high mortality and a high rate of disability; even among survivors, individuals often experience varying degrees of functional impairments, including sensory, motor, speech, and cognitive deficits. Without appropriate rehabilitation, such injuries frequently result in lifelong disability, imposing a substantial burden on families and society. Consequently, rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury has become an indispensable component of care.

　　During the forum, experts from Nanjing Medical University’s School of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Gulou Hospital affiliated with the School of Medicine at Nanjing University, the Zhongda Hospital affiliated with Southeast University, the Hangzhou International Institute for Disorders of Consciousness and Brain–Machine Interfaces, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital, the Neurosurgical Neurocritical Care Center of the Eastern Theater Command General Hospital, the Medical Science and Technology Information Center of the Naval Specialized Medical Center, and Nanjing Zijin Hospital presented and discussed cutting‑edge topics and research findings in the fields of brain injury and advanced neurological rehabilitation, including “Rehabilitation Assessment and Intervention for Patients with Disorders of Consciousness,” “Reoperation and Postoperative Rehabilitation for Spinal Disorders,” “Neuroelectrophysiological Assessment of Disorders of Consciousness and Advances in Brain–Machine Interface Research,” and “Exploration of Hydrocephalus‑Related Issues in Patients Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy During Rehabilitation.”

　　Lu Xiao, deputy leader of the Cardiopulmonary Group of the Chinese Branch of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vice chairman of the Critical Care Rehabilitation Committee of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Critical Care Rehabilitation Committee, chairman of the Nanjing Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and doctoral supervisor, stated that the complexity and difficulty of rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury far exceed those of cerebrovascular disease. This is because traumatic brain injury often involves multiple sites and complex lesions; it entails not only the restoration of motor function but also the recovery of higher-order central nervous system functions. Consequently, it represents the most challenging condition in neurological rehabilitation, requiring the concerted efforts of specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, and other disciplines to overcome these formidable challenges.

　　According to Ge Jiangping, president of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, over the past three years, the hospital has treated nearly 300 pediatric and adolescent patients in the rehabilitation phase following brain or spinal cord injuries. Some suffer from mild impairments such as limb dysfunction, speech disorders, or dysphagia, while others remain in a persistent vegetative state or, though conscious, are paralyzed and confined to bed. Common causes include traffic accidents, falls from heights, drowning, and poisoning by harmful gases. Analysis indicates that inadequate protective measures and insufficient safety awareness are the primary factors contributing to these childhood injuries.

　　Ge Jiangping stated that, among the pediatric cases treated at the hospital, a small number each year are unable to continue treatment due to family poverty. To provide robust support to these financially disadvantaged children and ensure they do not have their rehabilitation interrupted for economic reasons, Nanjing Zijin Hospital officially launched the “Love Accompanies Childhood” charitable assistance program on December 20, 2019—the day this forum was held. Over the next year, the hospital will allocate a special fund of RMB 200,000 to assist under‑16 patients from low‑income families who are receiving treatment at the hospital. Depending on their actual medical needs, the hospital will either offset a specified amount of their medical expenses or directly transfer funds into their personal treatment accounts, thereby ensuring uninterrupted care. For families facing extreme poverty, the hospital will also endeavor to provide practical assistance during their hospitalization.

　　Meanwhile, the experts attending the conference also urged all parents to place greater emphasis on the safety of children and adolescents, strengthen preventive measures, and proactively provide comprehensive safety education to their children, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental injuries. They cautioned against allowing momentary carelessness to result in irreparable consequences. (Yu Qizhong, Xing Junpeng)