A 19-year-old patient with partial paralysis due to brain injury at birth has recovered almost all normal functions of his right body thanks to a novel surgery conducted at Punan Hospital.

As well as testing a new technology, the surgery was also a trial of the current health reform that allows doctors to work in more than one hospital.

The surgery was conducted by neurosurgeons from a private group, surgeons from a public leading hospital, and staff from Punan Hospital.

Lin Chuncheng, who comes from Fujian province, suffered delayed development and function disorder on his right limbs due to complications caused by brain bleeding.

Doctors invented a mixed surgery by combining a spinal surgery and a hand surgery together.

“It is the first such surgery reported in the world and it is very meaningful for future treatment for patients with partial paralysis,” said Dr Sun Chengyan, Lin’s chief neurosurgeon.

Lin received the first stage of surgery to destroy sick nerves in 2015 and the second stage of cervical nerve transfer surgery late last year.

“I wasn’t able to take care of myself in the past. Now I can do all necessities,” Lin said. “I am living a life like other young people. I am so happy.”