Yang gives a medical lecture to people in Henan village, Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, last year. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Speaking about why she chose to become a doctor, she recalls an incident when she was about 8 years old when her mother went into shock as the result of an allergic reaction. With no village doctor, her family was forced to travel to a remote health center, where doctors managed to save her mother.

Although she now knows medicine could have helped avoid such a life-or-death situation, nobody knew this when she was young. The experience planted a seed in her heart and made her think that if she had a chance to learn medicine in the future, she would work hard, and maybe one day be able to help patients experiencing emergencies like her mother.

In 2008, Yang's dream came true when she was appointed as a doctor in Henan village, and made responsible for providing basic public health services, but she soon found out that it was not an easy job.

Since Henan village is located in a mountainous area and villagers live far apart, she often has to hike long distances to visit them at home and check on their health regularly.