Recently, after being reviewed and approved by the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gu Fangzhou has been officially included in the UNESCO series of commemorative activities. From 2026 to 2027, China, France, Italy and other places will jointly hold commemorative activities for the 100th anniversary of Gu Fangzhou's birth. This is another successful anniversary commemoration event hosted by China at UNESCO, following the birth anniversary of Liu Hui (a Chinese mathematician during the Wei and Jin dynasties who wrote the "Nine Chapters on Mathematical Annotations" and "Island Mathematical Classic" and was one of the founders of classical Chinese mathematical theory). (CCTV News, January 4th) In the 1950s and 1960s, when medical conditions were relatively backward, poliomyelitis (commonly known as "polio") was once as difficult to tame as a fierce beast. This disease is highly prevalent in children and has strong infectivity. Once infected, it can cause children to suddenly become paralyzed, physically disabled, or even life-threatening. In 1959, Gu Fangzhou was entrusted with the task and resolutely devoted himself to the research of poliomyelitis. At that time, there was little understanding of this disease in China, making diagnosis difficult and treatment impossible to discuss. But with firm beliefs and tenacious perseverance, Gu Fangzhou led the team to constantly explore. During the human safety trial phase of the vaccine, facing unknown risks, Gu Fangzhou personally tested the drug, drank the vaccine solution, and laid the first cornerstone for the safety of the vaccine with his own life. In order to verify the safety of the vaccine for children, he also allowed his underage son to participate in the trial, and this selfless and fearless spirit is touching. After unremitting efforts, the vaccine was successfully developed and put into production, effectively controlling the spread of this disease. What is particularly rare is that Gu Fangzhou not only made significant breakthroughs in vaccine research and development, but also fully considered the promotion and use of vaccines. In order to make it convenient for children to receive vaccines, he and his research team creatively made liquid vaccines into solid sugar pills and added auxiliary materials such as glucose and milk powder, making the sugar pill vaccine taste good, easy to store and transport. This improvement greatly increased the vaccination rate, enabling the polio vaccine to quickly cover all parts of the country and laying a solid foundation for the complete eradication of poliomyelitis. Gu Fangzhou's spirit of comprehensive consideration and innovation embodies his foresight and sense of responsibility. This research achievement is just a classic example, and there are many unique and brilliant Chinese solutions in the prevention and treatment of diseases. For example, traditional Chinese medicine, as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a unique role in disease prevention and treatment. The most typical example is that artemisinin "emerged" from traditional Chinese medicine classics and became the world's anti malaria weapon, for which Tu Youyou won the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Chinese medical scientists also pay special attention to the combination of national conditions and the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements, emphasizing economic affordability and product accessibility. Once a research breakthrough is made, it can often contribute unique Chinese wisdom and strength to the cause of human health. The high-profile commemoration of "Grandpa Tangwan" by the United Nations is not only a high recognition of Gu Fangzhou's personal contributions, but also a full affirmation of China's achievements in disease prevention and control. The achievements of "Grandpa Tangwan" Gu Fangzhou are worth remembering forever. We should take this as an opportunity to continue promoting the spirit of disease prevention and benefiting the world, encourage more researchers to devote themselves to disease prevention and control research, and make greater contributions to safeguarding human health. (New Society)