On the morning of January 31, a delegation led by Dr. Vladimir Poznyak, Unit Head of Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviors, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization (WHO), and Medical Officer Dzmitry Krupchanka visited the Second Xiangya Hospital. They had an in-depth discussion with Li Zhihong, Vice President of Central South University (CSU), Yin Gang, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges of CSU, and Xiao Yang, Vice President of the Second Xiangya Hospital of CSU. The meeting was presided over by Yin Gang and attended by Director Hao Wei, Deputy Director Xiang Xiaojun, Deputy Director Wang Xuyi from the Mental Health Institute, and Yang Xiaoxiao from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Second Xiangya Hospital of CSU.

On behalf of CSU, Vice President Li Zhihong delivered a welcome speech, highlighting the friendly exchanges between CSU and WHO. The meeting aimed to advance the implementation of various cooperative agreements established during former President Tian Hongqi’s visit to WHO in 2019. These agreements, specifically targeting education, talent development, and scientific research, focus on enhancing CSU's global influence by utilizing the WHO Collaborating Center as a strategic platform.

Dr. Vladimir Poznyak expressed a strong willingness for collaboration between the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, WHO and CSU in the areas of clinical care, medical education and research related to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors. The Department of Mental Health of the Second Xiangya Hospital has a longstanding collaboration with WHO. In 1994, WHO Collaborating Center for Psychosocial Factors, Substance Abuse and Health made its presence at the Second Xiangya Hospital. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the program. “Global Alcohol Plan 2022–2030” relies on the Collaborating Center and the National Medical Center for Mental Disorder at the Second Xiangya Hospital to deepen research on alcohol, drugs, and addictive behaviors in alignment with WHO's initiatives.

During the discussion, Vice President Xiao Yang made a brief introduction of the Second Xiangya Hospital and the Mental Health Institute, expressing a desire for deeper collaboration. He proposed expanding cooperation mechanisms and talent exchanges to facilitate the Second Xiangya Hospital and CSU going global. At the end of the meeting, Vice President Li Zhihong presented a gift to Dr. Vladimir Poznyak.