Gu Wenjing, director of the Shanghai Huashan Hospital's International Medical Center, introduces medical services of Shanghai to members of the royal family of Dubai at the Arabian Travel Market.[Photo/thepaper.cn]  

Renowned for its abundant medical resources and high-caliber healthcare institutions, Shanghai seeks to further elevate its prominence in the realm of international medical tourism.

Last week, prestigious hospitals like Huashan Hospital and Shanghai Children's Medical Center showcased Shanghai's advancements in international medical tourism at the Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai. This marked the first foray of Shanghai's medical institutions into the realm of international medical tourism. 

In September, Shanghai introduced a pioneering initiative to establish 13 top-tier hospitals as pilots for international medical tourism. 

One of the hospitals leading the charge is Huashan Hospital. Since establishing its international medical department in 1989, Huashan Hospital has accumulated a wealth of experience in treating foreign nationals, said Gu Jingwen, director of the hospital's International Medical Center. 

In recent years, more and more foreigners have come to Shanghai to seek quality medical services. 

Buko and his parents with doctors of Shanghai Children's Medical Center.[Photo/Xinmin Weekly] 

One of the beneficiaries is 2-year-old Buko (alias) from Poland. The boy suffered severe combined immunodeficiency due to a mutation in the ADA gene and on top of that he was diagnosed with a liver tumor. 

This February, Buko's parents took him to Shanghai for treatment after learning that Shanghai Children's Medical Center has rich experience in treating liver cancer. 

After a successful surgery and treatments, Buko recovered well and went back to Europe for further therapies. 

Ali (alias) from Malaysia is another little patient. The 1-year-old toddler had biliary atresia, a life-threatening liver condition. Despite undergoing surgery in Malaysia after birth, Ali's liver function indicators failed to recover, leading to recurrent fevers. As the condition continued to deteriorate, Ali needed a liver transplant surgery as soon as possible.

In the past, local children needing complex liver transplant surgeries would usually be referred to Singapore. However, this time, fellow patients and doctors advised Ali's parents to contact Renji Hospital in Shanghai, whose Pediatric Liver Transplant Center has ranked first globally in the number of liver transplant surgeries performed for 11 consecutive years.

With the assistance of a team led by Doctor Xia Qiang from the hospital, Ali's family swiftly made their way to Shanghai. Before surgery, the team utilized cutting-edge technology to diagnose Ali's condition. After thorough preparations, the liver transplant was successfully performed on Aug 1.

Doctor Xia Qiang (right) of the Renji Hospital with a 1-year-old patient.[Photo/Xinmin Weekly] 

Ali is among the 40-plus foreign children who have undergone liver transplant surgeries at Renji Hospital in recent years, with the majority of patients hailing from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and France.

Doctor Gu, from Huashan Hospital, told Shanghai-based Xinmin Weekly that thanks to the rapid medical development in China, foreign patients not only come to Shanghai for treating minor diseases but also for serious conditions like cancers. 

She said China's leading hospitals are on par with those in developed countries, being able to meet the diverse medical needs of foreign patients. 

The burgeoning industry of medical tourism, which combines healthcare, services, insurance, and more, is poised for further growth, with an annual growth rate exceeding 20 percent. 

Across the globe, many countries have tailored their medical tourism offerings to cater to distinct needs. 

In Europe and the US, medical tourism leverages technological advantages, focusing on serious conditions such as tumor treatments. Asian countries like Japan and South Korea are known for their high-quality services, with offerings like PET health check-ups in Japan and cosmetic procedures in South Korea. Other nations have carved out niches by offering high-value services, such as India's cardiac surgeries.

According to Gu, international medical tourism is not meant to serve expats living in Shanghai, but those from overseas to seek treatment and recuperation.

Gu added that to meet the needs of overseas patients, it is essential to first obtain international recognition in terms of medical service standards and regulations. However, neither Shanghai nor the entire country has established standards for international medical services.

Currently, under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Huashan Hospital International Medical Center is taking the lead in developing the "International Medical Service Standard" for Shanghai, which will specify in detail the institutions, personnel, services, management, and other aspects of international medical services. The new standard is being reviewed and is expected to be unveiled soon. 

According to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, high-quality international medical services will not only cater to the needs of foreign patients but also help improve the business environment of Shanghai.

Source: Jiefang Daily