International patients are increasingly choosing Shanghai hospitals for their world-class expertise, efficient service, and affordable costs.

An Irishman named Richie Lenehan, shared his experience seeking medical treatment at a local hospital in Shanghai on the social media platform RedNote.

Lenehan suffered a ligament injury while playing soccer. On the recommendation of a friend, he visited Shanghai's Huadong Hospital for treatment.

"I was shocked by the highly efficient procedures and low costs of Chinese hospitals," he said.

At the hospital, he moved from registration to receiving his X-ray results in just one hour, spending 130 yuan ($18.7) for the test.

In addition to affordability and efficiency, China's advanced medical technologies are also attracting the interest of international patients.

For example, Oscar Chalupusky, a former Olympic canoeing team captain from South Africa, came to Shanghai Ruijin Hospital in 2025 for treatment of late-stage multiple myeloma. After doctors in other countries described it as "difficult to treat and nearly hopeless", he is now receiving CAR-T therapy at Ruijin Hospital.

China's healthcare system consists of public and private hospitals, with major public hospitals hosting international medical departments that specifically cater to expats and overseas visitors, often featuring English-speaking staff and streamlined processes.

Hospitals such as Shanghai Ruijin Hospital and Renji Hospital are renowned for their leading programs in areas including CAR-T cell therapy, neurosurgery, and pediatric liver transplants.

In previous years, most foreign patients came for services such as health check-ups or imaging tests, said Gong Yanchun, director of the International Medical Department at Ruijin Hospital.

"Nowadays, they travel great distances to China, not merely because it's inexpensive, but because they are seeking world-class specialized expertise," said Gong.

China's visa-free policies have also made it easier for short-term visitors to seek medical care.

Data from multiple hospitals indicate a growing number of foreign patients, many of whom arrive for business or tourism purposes but also take advantage of the nation's 240-hour visa-free transit policies to receive treatment.

Sources: Wenhui Daily, Xinhua