In the path of the trailblazing barefoot doctors

The villagers line up at the entrance of the township health center as well as inside the waiting room for free checkups. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Though he has been married for 15 years, he and his wife have always lived apart. She now lives in a rural community doing work that aims to eradicate poverty. They have two sons, one of whom has been living at school since the first year of primary school, and the other who is cared for by Wugyan Tsering's mother at home.

Yu Guihua, a village health worker for 24 years, has witnessed the improvement of healthcare services in Tuoding village, in the homonymous township, over the decades.

Prophylactic vaccination can now be given every month instead of four times a year, as was the case 25 years ago or so, when Yu graduated from a secondary medical school. The main road had then yet to be sealed, and Yu really did have to live up to the name of barefoot doctor, traveling great distances, including climbing mountains, and carrying equipment and other items as she visited villagers in their homes to administer vaccinations.