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[Health Byte] is your insider guide to navigating Shanghai's health maze. From the labyrinth of public and private healthcare options to the pulse of cutting-edge medical services, we've got you covered. Each bite-sized article ends with a health tip, making wellness in the city more accessible than ever. Wondering about hospital features, where to find bilingual medics or the scoop on insurance coverage? Health Byte breaks it down, offering clear, actionable insights.

Shanghai's Vision for Medical Tourism

Shanghai's medical scene ranks among the top in China, and now the city is setting its sights on something bigger – becoming a go-to spot for international medical tourism, pulling in patients from every corner of the globe.

Expanding Its Global Influence

Already a heavyweight in economy, finance, trade, shipping, and tech, Shanghai is looking to add "medical hub of Asia" to its resume. The city's healthcare standards are going for world-class status, aiming to meet, and even outdo, what's expected on the international stage.

Aiming to Attract International Talent

"In addition to providing top-notch healthcare services, Shanghai also aims to attract more global professionals for training – a testament to the city's growing rep in medical expertise," says Wen Daxiang, head of the Shanghai Health Commission. "Once upon a time, we were the ones sending our talent overseas. Now, we're welcoming international experts here as our medical capabilities stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's best." To help push Shanghai's name in the medical tourism game, the Health Commission is teaming up with local tourism bodies, encouraging agencies to spin up new medical-focused packages.

Leading Hospitals Selected as Pilots

To get things rolling, they've handpicked 13 standout public hospitals and 20 private hospitals to spearhead the initiative. These facilities come preloaded with everything needed to handle international patients: cutting-edge treatments, seasoned staff and a knack for cross-cultural care.

Specialized Care for International Patients

Each of these 13 public hospitals has an international wing tailored to meet the unique demands of foreign patients. They're equipped to work with commercial insurance, offer multilingual support, respect your dietary and cultural specifics, and can help with everything from remote consultations to visa support. Some even provide charitable options if you're on a tight budget.

Spotlighting Shanghai's Hospitals

Here's our breakdown of these select hospitals – what they bring to the table, why they matter, and how they're making a mark in Shanghai's push to become Asia's healthcare heavyweight.

Renji Hospital

仁济医院

Renji Hospital: Pioneering Western Medicine in Shanghai

Founded in 1844 by British medical missionary William Lockhart, Renji Hospital stands as Shanghai's first Western hospital and a landmark in the city's medical history. Today, its legacy continues through an international medical service platform established in 2015, offering both outpatient and inpatient services that cater to both domestic and international patients.

Specialized Medical Expertise

Drawing on its rich history, Renji Hospital provides a suite of specialized medical services across various fields. These include:

• Gastrointestinal Disease and Endoscopic Diagnosis
  
• Rheumatism Treatment
  
• Pediatric Liver Transplantation
  
• Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Immunity Treatment
  
• Urological and Female Tumor Care
  
• Integrated Treatment of Terminal Renal Disease
  
• Neuroimmune Disease Management
  

A Global Leader in Pediatric Liver Transplants

Renji Hospital is internationally recognized as a top liver transplant center. For 11 consecutive years, it has achieved the highest number of pediatric liver transplants worldwide. With a one-year survival rate of 94% and a five-year survival rate of 91 percent, the hospital's expertise is widely regarded. Renji's impact also extends globally, with more than 40 international pediatric patients successfully receiving liver transplants here.

Renji Hospital is a testament to Shanghai's ambition to lead in medical innovation and international healthcare excellence, combining a deep-rooted legacy with cutting-edge capabilities in patient care.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 33 Beiyuan Rd

北园路33号

Tel: 021-6838-3210

E-mail: renji_clinic@renji.com

Longhua Hospital

龙华医院

Longhua Hospital: Shanghai's Traditional Chinese Medicine Pioneer

Longhua Hospital, the only traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) institution in Shanghai's international medical initiative, became the first TCM hospital globally accredited as an academic medical center by Joint Commission International in 2018. Its international clinic offers a comprehensive range of services, including outpatient, inpatient, and online consultations.

Specialized TCM Centers and Clinics

The hospital houses several specialized centers dedicated to TCM-based treatment, providing an array of traditional and modern approaches. Key facilities include:

• Shanghai International Acupuncture Medical Center
  
• TCM-Based Sleeping Medicine Center
  
• Allergy (Immunology) Disease Clinic
  

These centers offer a full spectrum of TCM services, including diagnostic techniques, herbal medicine, and non-pharmacological treatments like acupuncture, catgut embedding, and cupping. Additionally, Longhua Hospital has multidisciplinary clinics focused on conditions such as pediatric perianal disease, defecation disorders, and immune-related eye diseases.

Tailored TCM Therapies and Seasonal Treatments

Longhua Hospital's international medical center is highly regarded for its specialized TCM treatments, including custom-made herbal extracts tailored to individual health needs. The hospital's chronomedicine ( a medical approach that optimizes treatment timing to align with the body's natural biological rhythms, enhancing therapeutic effectiveness) clinics offer seasonal therapies for chronic diseases, featuring enhanced summer treatments and gaofang (膏方) winter therapies, known for their restorative benefits during colder months. (Gaofang winter therapies is a Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment that involves consuming a concentrated herbal paste, or gaofang, during the winter months to strengthen immunity, replenish energy, and prepare the body to resist illnesses in the colder season.

With a unique blend of ancient practices and modern standards, Longhua Hospital exemplifies Shanghai's commitment to integrating TCM into global healthcare standards, offering patients high-end, personalized TCM care.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 725 Wanping Rd S.

宛平南路725号

E-mail: LHIMC@longhua.net

International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital

国际和平妇幼保健院

International Medical Department: Leading Obstetrics and Gynecology Care

The international medical department is focused on establishing itself as a globally recognized leader in obstetrics and gynecology. With a team of 40 experts, all with extensive clinical experience and senior professional credentials – 70 percent of whom have trained or studied abroad – the department brings a wealth of global expertise to its services.

Comprehensive Perinatal and Advanced Obstetric Services

Offering a full spectrum of care during the perinatal period, the department specializes in high-precision, personalized treatment options. Key services include:

• Critical Care for High-Risk Pregnancies
  
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Tumors During Pregnancy
  
• Endometriosis Treatment Aimed at Fertility Preservation
  
• Birth Defect Management and Ultra-Premature Infant Care
  
• Advanced Gynecology and Cancer Treatment
  

In gynecology, the hospital provides advanced, minimally invasive treatments for various conditions, including:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery for Malignant Tumors
  
• Immunotherapy for Female Cancers
  
• One-Stop Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
  
• Comprehensive Breast Cancer Management
  
• Infertility Treatment via Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy
  
• 24/7 Emergency Care and Specialized TCM Services
  

The department also provides round-the-clock emergency services in obstetrics and gynecology, along with TCM services specifically designed to support menopausal health.

With its robust suite of services and specialized expertise, the international medical department offers a premier level of care tailored to meet the needs of women's health at every stage.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 910 Hengshan Rd (Xuhui Branch)

衡山路910号 (徐汇院区)

168 Wanghe Rd (Fengxian Branch)

望河路168号 (奉贤院区)

Tel: 021-6426-5988 (Xuhui Branch)

021-6447-0399 (Fengxian Branch)

E-mail: ipmch_cs@163.com

Shanghai Children's Medical Center

上海儿童医学中心

Shanghai Children's Medical Center: Pioneering Pediatric Excellence

Shanghai Children's Medical Center, operating across two branches and comprising 31 clinical departments, stands as a leader in pediatric healthcare, with ten national key specialties. As China's first children's hospital to achieve JCI International Hospital Certification and a proud member of the National Children's Medical Center, it specializes in areas like pediatric cardiovascular disease, hematological oncology, developmental pediatrics, pediatric surgery, and critical care.

International Pediatric Care for a Global Community

The international medical department offers top-tier healthcare services for children and adolescents (ages 0-18) from around the world. Through its "international medical tourism chief physician system," the center is dedicated to advancing care for complex and critical conditions, including pediatric hematological oncology, congenital structural deformities, and rare genetic metabolic diseases.

Zhangjiang High-Tech Park Branch: Shanghai's Answer to MD Anderson

The center's branch in Zhangjiang High-Tech Park is being developed as Shanghai's equivalent to the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center. The facility boasts the nation's first pediatric radiation center alongside a cell therapy center and a molecular diagnosis center, equipped with 500 beds, eight advanced operating rooms, and 32 bone marrow transplant units. These facilities support cutting-edge research in cell therapy, clinical trials, and developing new drugs and medical devices, underscoring the center's commitment to innovative pediatric care.

Shanghai Children's Medical Center exemplifies Shanghai's drive to lead in pediatric healthcare, combining clinical expertise with world-class facilities and forward-thinking research.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 171 Beiyuan Road

北园路171号

Tel: 021-3862-6141

E-mail: scmcvip@163.com

Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital

上海第六人民医院

Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital: A Pioneer in Orthopedics and Diagnostic Innovation

Known as the birthplace of limb replantation and a trailblazer in ultrasound diagnostics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital is a national leader in clinical specialties, with eight key areas of expertise, including orthopedics, endocrinology, ENT & head-neck surgery, medical imaging, sports medicine, emergency medicine, trauma orthopedics, and joint surgery.

National Center for Orthopedics: Advancing Clinical and Digital Innovation

As the National Center for Orthopedics, the hospital is dedicated to advancing orthopedic research, clinical practices, and high-end medical services. It is at the forefront of digital applications in orthopedic diagnosis and treatment, aiming to set the standard for orthopedic care in China.

Shanghai's Hub for Trauma and Emergency Care

The hospital also serves as the Shanghai Center for Trauma Emergency and Care, renowned for its rapid response and expertise in urgent care and first aid. Its capabilities in emergency medicine make it a critical resource for trauma response across the region.

International Medical Department: Seamless, Patient-Centered Care

The hospital's international medical department offers comprehensive outpatient and inpatient services, equipped with dedicated CT, MRI, B-ultrasound, and electrocardiogram facilities. Most diagnostics can be completed on the same day, without prior appointments, except for certain procedures requiring special preparation.

To enhance patient comfort, the department provides separate waiting and resting areas, private consultation rooms, and "butler-style" service. Specialized staff assist with medical payments and insurance settlement, ensuring a streamlined, patient-centered experience for every visitor.

Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital combines its deep-rooted expertise in medical innovation with high-quality patient care, establishing itself as a leader in both local and international healthcare.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 600 Yishan Rd (Xuhui Branch)

宜山路600号 (徐汇院区)

222 Huanhu Ring Rd W. No. 3 (Lingang Branch)

环湖西三路222号 (临港院区)

Tel: 021-2405-6318 (Xuhui Branch)

021-3829-7261 (Lingang Branch)

E-mail: sldymb@126.com

Health Byte Tips:

Health Advisory: Preparing for Infectious Disease Season in Autumn and Winter

As autumn and winter bring a higher risk of infectious diseases, elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems should stay vigilant, particularly for illnesses like the flu, shingles, and pneumonia. Medical authorities strongly recommend vaccinations for these diseases to safeguard against seasonal health risks.

Shingles Awareness and Prevention

During China's recent Week Against Pain, local experts emphasized the importance of shingles prevention through vaccination and personal awareness. Shingles predominantly affects those over 50, presenting with painful blisters and back or chest pain. People with chronic conditions or other infections are especially susceptible, with chronic diseases amplifying both the likelihood and intensity of pain associated with shingles.

By staying informed and considering vaccinations, at-risk individuals can better protect their health as we enter peak infectious disease season.

Upcoming Topics

In the upcoming [Health Byte], we'll continue this series by showcasing three more public hospitals and several international hospitals in Shanghai that are making remarkable advancements in healthcare. Stay tuned!

About the Author

Cai Wenjun is a seasoned health reporter with Shanghai Daily. With extensive experience covering the local medical system, hospitals, health officials and leading medical experts, Cai has reported on major pandemics including SARS, swine flu and COVID-19, as well as developments in the local health industry.