Presentation of the Order of the Polar Star of Mongolia to Dr PATTE for his contribution to Luxembourg Cooperation projects
On 11 October 2024, Dr Didier PATTE received the Order of the North Star from His Excellency Luvsanvandan BOLD, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. This is the highest civilian distinction that the Mongolian government can bestow on a foreign citizen.
This recognition underlines Dr PATTE's significant contribution and remarkable commitment, as an advisor, to the Luxembourg Cooperation projects to strengthen the cardiovascular and cardiological health system in Mongolia.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Georges TERNES, Director of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Mr Philippe CAHEN, Honorary Council of Mongolia in Luxembourg, Dr Arnaud CHARPENTIER, Director General of the INCCI (Institut national de chirurgie cardiaque et de cardiologie interventionnelle) of Luxembourg, Mr Manuel TONNAR, Director General of LuxDev, and Dr Mongo DAGVA, senior sector advisor of the Cardiology, cardio-surgery and telemedicine in Mongolia.
A long-term commitment to cooperation
In the early 2000s, Dr PATTE played a central role in identifying the challenges faced by Mongolian doctors and the Mongolian population in terms of health, and more specifically cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in the country.
Mongolia is a vast country in terms of surface area but has a very low population density. Half of the population lives in Ulan Bator, the capital, while the other half is scattered across this vast territory. Access to healthcare is often only available over long distances, with limited communications infrastructure and difficult climatic conditions. Against this backdrop, the development of telemedicine applied to cardiology seemed an obvious way of meeting the needs of the most remote people and providing them with the medical expertise available in the capital, by digital means.
This is how telemedicine was introduced in Mongolia 23 years ago by the project identified by Dr PATTE. Over the years, doctor-to-doctor teleconsultation has created a team of cardiologists offering opportunities for mutual learning, networking and the introduction of better quality medical services for patients in more remote areas.
Thereafter, through regular missions, Dr PATTE continued to provide his expertise and strategic advice to the various projects financed by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev, in order to improve their efficiency and maximise their impact.
Recognition of the human and social impact
The Order of the Polar Star is recognition of Dr PATTE's ongoing efforts, not only for his technical and professional contributions, but also for the impact his work has had on Mongolian communities. Telemedicine has in fact helped to reduce heart disease and the cardiovascular mortality rate (from 24.4 to 17.5 per 10,000 inhabitants) from 2003 to 2022, while the mortality rate among cardiovascular disease patients has fallen from 5.09% in 2003 to 1.34% in 2022.
At the award ceremony, Dr PATTE expressed his pride and his gratitude to his Luxembourg and Mongolian colleagues. "This distinction is the highlight of my professional life. These projects in Mongolia hold such a special place in my heart. But above all it is a collective adventure that I share with all those who have worked on these projects", he said, not without emotion.
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