On the vast Mongolian steppes, 30-year-old Ermuun was once a young man who loved football, basketball, and traditional Mongolian wrestling. However, at the age of 20, he began suffering from severe, recurrent headaches of unknown cause, forcing him to rely heavily on painkillers. In Mongolia, where medical resources are relatively limited and many medications are imported with unclear ingredients and sources, long-term use of such drugs gradually posed serious health risks.

Several years later, Ermuun developed severe pain in both hip joints. He frequently felt his hips locking while walking and was unable to stand for long periods. After medical examinations, he was diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis of the femoral heads, a condition suspected to be related to prolonged use of unidentified medications. At a critical stage of his life, he was told that he would no longer be able to run or jump and would have to live with chronic pain. Facing high surgical costs and limited local medical expertise, doctors in Mongolia even advised him to “consider surgery after the age of 50,” a recommendation that deeply shattered his hopes for the future.

A turning point came through a cross-border short-term medical mission. In June 2025, Chou Tien-Hung, Vice Superintendent of Chiayi Christian Hospital (CYCH), together with a service team from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Taiwan, traveled to Mongolia for medical outreach and assessment. Ermuun assisted the Taiwanese team with reception and transportation during their visit, giving Vice Superintendent Chou the opportunity to learn about his condition and needs. This unexpected encounter became the crucial link that connected Ermuun to international medical assistance—and a chance to change his destiny.

After returning to Taiwan, Vice Superintendent Cho consulted Dr. Chen Chun-Ho, Director of International Medical Services and an orthopedic specialist at CYCH. The case was identified as a rare instance of early-onset bilateral hip joint destruction. Following comprehensive cross-border online professional evaluations, the medical team confirmed that Ermuun’s hip joints were severely damaged and had significantly impaired his daily functioning. The team then proposed an international medical aid plan and invited him to Taiwan for further treatment. For Ermuun, this journey across thousands of miles was filled with uncertainty—but also hope.

Upon arriving in Taiwan, Ermuun underwent thorough examinations and discussions with the medical team at CYCH. He decided to proceed with bilateral direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty, a surgical technique that minimizes muscle damage, reduces postoperative pain, and accelerates recovery. For a young man who had endured years of pain, this decision represented a renewed investment in his future.

Dr. Chen Chun-Ho explained that in Taiwan, with a mature healthcare system, world-class prosthetic materials, and advanced surgical techniques, avascular necrosis of the hip is not an unsolvable condition. He therefore collaborated with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tsai Ting-Chien to perform the direct anterior approach hip replacement, which is especially suitable for young patients with bilateral disease, as it balances mobility, durability, and long-term functional outcomes.

On the second day after surgery, Ermuun experienced something he had not felt in over a decade—a body without pain. As he slowly took his first steps in the hospital ward, a smile returned to his face. He can now walk with ease and has even grown 2 centimeters taller. Within days, he was preparing to return home. Reflecting on his journey, he shared emotionally:

“God can use pain to shape me, and He can also miraculously take it away when I can no longer bear it. Ten years of pain ended on that day.”

These words encapsulate a young man’s journey from despair to renewal.

On January 29, 2026, just before Ermuun’s return to Mongolia, CYCH held an International Medical Aid Press Conference to share and celebrate this cross-border medical mission. Special recognition was given to United Orthopedic Corporation, a leading domestic developer of orthopedic implants, for its enthusiastic support, including partial sponsorship of two sets of premium-quality artificial hip joints. This collaboration played a vital role in ensuring the success of the international medical aid effort.

Vice Superintendent Chou Tien-Hung stated that with the support of the CYCH Humanitarian and Overseas Care Fund and United Orthopedic Corporation, the patient’s financial burden was significantly reduced, while ensuring access to the highest-quality and most durable hip prostheses for long-term use over the coming decades. The dedication of the medical team enabled international medical assistance to be delivered in a more comprehensive and safe manner, demonstrating the powerful partnership between medical professionalism and social responsibility.

Vice Superintendent Chou further emphasized that medical care itself is an act of compassion, and international medical missions extend that compassion to distant places.

“When we met Ermuun in Mongolia and saw both his pain and his hope, we knew this was not just a medical case, but a life waiting to be answered.”

He highlighted that CYCH’s ability to bring medical expertise, compassion, and hope to regions with limited medical resources—helping a young life stand up again and move toward the future—embodies the deepest value of international medical aid: not just healing illness, but transforming lives.

Dr. Chen Chun-Ho added that while surgical success is important, what moved him most was seeing the patient stand again without pain.

“In that moment, it wasn’t just a joint that was repaired—it was a person regaining confidence in the future.”

He noted that being part of an initiative that combines medicine with love is a rare and deeply meaningful experience in a physician’s career.