International patients, especially those from Southeast Asia, will have better access to high-end medical services in Shanghai, while those looking for healthcare from Singapore are also expected to enjoy a more convenient service from the Southeast Asian nation, thanks to a cooperation deal reached between Shanghai's Renji Hospital and Raffles Media Group on Friday.

Officials from the Shanghai Health Commission said this cooperation can effectively boost international medical tourism in Shanghai and help the city learn from Singapore's advanced experiences in the field.

The agreement will establish a two-channel network as the local hospital can introduce the international health service system, human-centered care, cross-cultural service and language training from Singapore and promote China's medical service and technology abroad through the cross-border network of Raffles.

The Singaporean partner, meanwhile, can benefit from Shanghai's more cost-effective and excellent health capability to attract more patients with different payment abilities.

"We also want to meet the medical demand from patients in countries with the Belt and Road Initiative. Many such countries have no direct flights to Singapore, but they have flights to Shanghai and Beijing. Through the cooperation, such patients can have better access to services in Raffles. So it is a win-win situation," Dr Loo Choon Yong, executive chairman of Raffles Medical Group.

"We are glad to integrate our experiences in international hospital management and healthcare with Renji's long history to allow international patients to enjoy both China's good health ability and international service."

Dr Xia Qiang, president of Renji Hospital, expressed his appreciation of the deal.

"Renji, which was established in 1844, is the first Western medicine hospital in Shanghai and it is one of the leading public hospitals participating in the pilot program of local international medical tourism. Medicine has no boundaries. We want to create an innovative medical format with Shanghai experience plus Singapore experience through this cooperation," he said.

Under the cooperation, Renji Hospital will team up with Raffles to offer online remote consultations and medical services at Shanghai Raffles Hospital.