Dr. David Kostyanovsky, a Russian doctor, recently returned to Chelyabinsk from China, where he worked for nearly seven years. He recalls how his workday would begin with soy milk at 4 am, as the scorching heat in China made it difficult to go outside later in the day. He would then ride his bicycle to work, a 16-kilometer journey from his home. Although the work was demanding, Dr. Kostyanovsky fondly remembers the beauty of the park and the Hunhe River that he would pass along the way.
Dr. Kostyanovsky initially worked in the Shenjing Hospital, a state hospital with 1,000 beds. He then moved on to the Northeast International Hospital, a private hospital where he held positions in the outpatient department, inpatient department, and eventually became the deputy chief physician. In China, Dr. Kostyanovsky explains that Western medicine is considered a prestigious profession, and there is a high level of status associated with being a doctor. However, he also notes that medical care in China is mostly private and expensive.
Dr. Kostyanovsky's decision to return to Russia was motivated by his love for his home country and the desire to be with his family. He now leads the therapeutic department at City Clinical Hospital No. 8 in Chelyabinsk. Although the scale of his work is smaller in Russia, he appreciates the good working environment and the camaraderie among his colleagues. He believes that being a doctor is a noble profession regardless of the country.
In conclusion, Dr. Kostyanovsky's journey from China to Russia highlights the differences in healthcare systems and the challenges faced by doctors in both countries. Regardless of the location, being a doctor is a highly respected profession that requires dedication and skill.
