Editor's Notes:

[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 Aiming to Become a "Medical Destination"

Shanghai, always on the hustle, is one of China's undisputed heavyweights when it comes to medical care, and now it's aiming to be the heavyweight of Asia. The city's built a rep for its fast, professional, and polished healthcare – especially with the expats. But this isn't just about catering to VIPs anymore. Shanghai wants to be known for healthcare that's world-class, meeting and exceeding international standards.

To make that dream happen, the Shanghai Health Commission picked out 13 leading public hospitals and 20 private hospitals as pilots. These hospitals have the chops–cutting-edge medical expertise, fresh approaches, and experience in handling international patients.

Every one of those 13 public hospitals has its own international medical department that's designed to hit the high notes of what international patients expect. They handle commercial insurance, speak multiple languages, respect your dietary quirks and cultural differences, and they help with remote consultations, visas, and even charity support if you're strapped for cash.

Here, we're breaking down a selection of those hospitals, spotlighting why each one matters and what they do best.

Huashan Hospital 华山医院

Huashan Hospital is an OG in Shanghai's medical scene. It's got a solid reputation in neurosurgery, neurology, dermatology, hand surgery, and infectious diseases. They set up their international department way back in 1989 – well ahead of the game. Whether it's outpatient services, emergencies, vaccinations, or health checkups, the Huashan Worldwide Medical Center has got it covered.

So far, the hospital has provided over 1 million medical services to patients from over 100 countries and regions.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 12 Wulumuqi Rd M. 乌鲁木齐中路12号

Tel: (021) 6248-3986; 5288-9998

E-mail: hwmc@huashan.org.cn

Children's Hospital of Fudan University 复旦大学附属儿科医院

Looking for top-tier pediatric care in Shanghai? The Children's Hospital of Fudan University is the heavyweight you need to know about. With a whopping 14 national key clinical specialties – think critical care, neonatology, pediatric oncology, cardiology, and more – they're the go-to place for tackling the rare, the difficult, and the downright complex cases. They've even got China's first center for undiagnosed diseases. Yeah, they're that advanced.

As a member of the National Children's Medical Center, they're not messing around. From gastroenterology and traditional Chinese medicine to surgery, nephrology, and neurology, they've got experts in just about every pediatric field. If your little one needs specialized care, this is the spot.

Focusing on the tough stuff – critical, rare, and specialized pediatric diseases – they also offer an international consultation platform for overseas patients. With cutting-edge facilities like a large organ transplant center, a minimally invasive center, and a gene therapy center, they're equipped with the latest and greatest in medical tech.

Their International Medical Center has been around since 1993, making life easier for international patients. They've set up a consultation platform where experts from home and abroad team up to offer personalized treatment plans for kids with complex and rare diseases. So, if you're in need of world-class pediatric care, put this hospital on your radar.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 399 Wanyuan Rd 万源路399号

Tel: (021) 6493-1831; 6493-1121

E-mail: texu64931121@163.com

International medical consultation platform

Tel: 180-1759-0044, (021) 6493-2953

E-mail: SHICHvip@163.com

Ruijin Hospital 瑞金医院

Looking for top-tier medical care with a hefty dose of history? Meet Ruijin Hospital, a Shanghai heavyweight that's been around since 1907–back then, it was known as Kuang-tse Hospital. Fast forward to 1998, and they launched their international medical services, covering a wide spectrum: cardiothoracic diseases, brain medicine, metabolic disorders, hematological issues, gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumors, emerging infectious diseases – you name it.

These folks aren't just keeping up with medical advancements; they're pioneering them. We're talking leadless pacemaker implantation, magnetic navigation bronchoscopy, spinal cord stimulation therapy, and minimally invasive spinal tumor resections. They've got their hands in cutting-edge treatments like CAR-T therapy, human digital metabolic chambers, 5G plus VR laparoscopic surgery, and allogeneic islet transplantation. Basically, if it's groundbreaking, they're on it.

But here's the kicker: Ruijin Hospital is China's first air medical rescue base. That means they're equipped to handle emergency rescues by sea, land, and air. So whether you're in the heart of the city or out in the middle of nowhere, they've got the resources to get you the help you need.

If you're in Shanghai and in need of world-class medical care – especially for complex conditions – Ruijin Hospital should be high on your list. With over a century of experience and a knack for innovation, they're a solid choice for both locals and internationals alike.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 197 Ruijin Rd No.2 瑞金二路197号

Tel: (021) 6467-8970

E-mail: vip@rjh.com.cn

Shanghai General Hospital 上海第一人民医院

Shanghai General Hospital, originally established in 1864, is a heavy hitter in the city's medical scene, boasting both a southern and northern campus. The hospital's ophthalmology department? It's not just top-tier; it's the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Ocular Diseases. Translation: they're leading the charge on eye care in the country. Meanwhile, their urology department has put some groundbreaking techniques on the global map, literally writing the book on international urology standards.

The hospital's international medical care center, dating back to 1956, is your round-the-clock go-to for outpatient and emergency services. Need to get admitted or consult with top specialists? They've got it covered, whether you're local or flying in for treatment. Known for their expertise across a variety of departments –ophthalmology, urology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, general surgery, hematology, endocrinology, oncology, and critical care – Shanghai General Hospital is a name you'll hear again and again in Shanghai's medical circles.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 86 Wujin Rd (northern division in Honghou District) 上海市虹口区武进路85号 (北院);650 New Songjiang Rd (southern division in Songjiang District) 松江区新松江路650号(南院)

Tel: (021) 63243852 (northern division)

(021) 37798630 (southern division)

E-mail: imcc@shgh.cn

Zhongshan Hospital 中山医院

Zhongshan Hospital, founded in 1937, is one of Shanghai's medical giants, with a focus on two powerhouse specialties: cardiovascular and oncology. When it comes to cutting-edge clinical care and scientific research in these fields, they're at the top of their game. Their departments for cardiology, cardiac surgery, hepatology, liver surgery, and endoscopy? Some of the best in the country, hands down.

A new crown jewel is on the horizon for Zhongshan: their endoscopy center. Expected to open later this year, it's set to be the largest of its kind in the world. Offering high-end, international-standard services, the center will be running the latest in medical procedures, pushing out 180,000 endoscopic treatments annually just at the Xuhui HQ alone. Toss in the branches, and you're looking at a staggering 200,000 cases every year – making them a global leader in endoscopic care.

Spanning six floors, the new center promises everything in line with international standards: environment, process, equipment, staffing, and service. They're also positioning themselves as a key player in the medical tourism game, pulling in patients from around the globe.

Zhongshan's International Medical Center is an institution backed by the hospital's top-tier medical talent. Their nursing team? Fully standardized across all conditions, packing specialized skills in pain management, IV therapy, wound care, nutrition, and a full-service escort system, all delivered with bilingual capabilities. Expect nothing less than the best.

Contacts for the International Medical Department

Address: 111 Yixueyuan Rd 医学院路111号

Tel: 400-626-0121

E-mail: customer.service@zs-hospital.sh.cn

Health Byte Tips

With the temperatures dropping, Shanghai is officially in gaofang season – the time of year when locals turn to traditional Chinese medicine to boost their health through the winter months. Gaofang is a seasonal herbal tonic, a thick, paste-like mixture made from condensed liquid herbal medicine. It's tailor-made for each individual, based on a doctor's prescription, and is especially popular with people who have weak immune systems, chronic conditions, or are in sub-health states.

For the city's growing expat population, local hospitals are adapting these age-old remedies. They've rolled out animal-free versions of gaofang, swapping out donkey-hide gelatin for brown sugar and honey to create a purely herbal alternative. For kids who get frequent respiratory infections or have low appetites, there are even gaofang lollipops – because who said medicine can't be sweet?

To keep those moisture levels up during the dry winter months, TCM doctors are recommending fruits like dragon fruit, pear, banana and orange, plus snow fungus for its hydrating properties.

If you're into a bit of DIY, here's a recipe from Dr Ma Li of Shanghai Yueyang Hospital's nutrition department for aloe and dragon fruit tea, perfect for those dealing with constipation during the cooler seasons:

Aloe and Dragon Fruit Tea Recipe:

• Half a dragon fruit (250g)
  
• Aloe (30g)
  
• Dried longan (25g)
  
• Rock sugar (15g)
  

Boil the dried longan and rock candy in 800ml of water for 20 minutes. Add the aloe, bring it back to a boil, and then toss in the dragon fruit cut into small pieces at the end. It's a soothing, fruity tea with a gentle laxative effect. Just a heads-up: if you have diabetes, skip the candy or be cautious about adding it.

Upcoming Topics

In the upcoming [Health Byte], we will continue this series with several pieces introducing the remaining 8 public hospitals and several international ones in Shanghai that are making significant strides.

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.