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.

In our first Health Byte article, we'd like to introduce you to the general structures of the healthcare system in Shanghai, particularly focusing on the differences between Public and Private Hospitals. Shanghai has over 6,420 medical facilities including 450-odd hospitals, with over 240,000 health professionals. Some of the more prestigious institutions contribute to research and development on a national and international level, making Shanghai an excellent place to call home.

Public Health System

The public health system operates as a three-tier network comprising city, district, and neighborhood medical facilities. At the city level, public hospitals boast the highest levels of medical and academic prowess. This includes comprehensive institutions such as Zhongshan, Huashan, and Ruijin Hospitals, alongside specialty centers like the Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Center, and Shanghai Chest Hospital.

Expatriates have access to all these public hospitals, where medical professionals often possess bilingual skills. Almost all district- and city-level public hospitals have VIP departments and some also have international departments. Staff there are equipped with proper bilingual ability. Even in ordinary departments, doctors in Shanghai usually have ability to provide service in English. If it's your first time at a public hospital, or you need guidance, each hospital will have a patient service desk located in the hospital lobby is available for assistance.

General Availability: Outpatient services generally run from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, with some hospitals offering weekend hours as well. While walk-ins are accepted, securing an appointment is recommended, especially for consultations with specialists who have limited availability. Appointments can be made in person, via hotline, or through the hospital's WeChat account.

Emergency services are available around the clock, every day.

Insurance: Government-run medical insurance covers services at all public hospitals. Furthermore, most leading hospitals, which typically include international or VIP departments, also accept commercial medical insurance.

Costs: The registration for an ordinary outpatient is 25 yuan (US$3.46) for public city-level hospital, 18 yuan for district-level and 10 yuan for neighborhood health center. The fee is several hundreds yuan for a VIP service in a public hospital, depending on different type of VIP service and levels of the specialist.

Pharmaceuticals: Public hospitals in China are subject to purchasing restrictions that are tied to the government-based medical insurance system. This system conducts a bidding process that takes into account factors such as pricing and effectiveness when selecting medicines and medical equipment for inclusion. As a result, some expensive, original drugs may not be included in the purchase list, leading public hospitals to opt for domestically-made generic drugs instead. This is due to the government's efforts to control costs and ensure affordability for patients covered by the national insurance system.

Special Notes: As mentioned previously some hospitals have VIP departments which have doctors who speak English. Examples include the World Health Clinic at Huashan Hospital.

Private Health System

Brief Intro: Private healthcare facilities are funded through both domestic and international investments. Shanghai hosts a significant number of international hospitals and clinics, including Jiahui International Hospital, SinoUnited Health, Parkway Hospital, Shanghai United Family Hospital, Am-Sino Healthcare, and Shanghai Guangci Memorial Hospital.

General Availability: Private hospitals typically maintain operating hours similar to those of public facilities, although some may adjust their schedules for weekend services. For instance, the Jing'an branch of Shanghai United Family Hospital and the Am-Sino Women's and Children's Hospital in Xuhui offer round-the-clock pediatric outpatient services.

Unlike public hospitals, private facilities often do not provide standard emergency services. Instead, they tailor their offerings to meet their unique characteristics and patient demands. Leading private institutions such as Shanghai United Family Hospital, Jiahui International Hospital, and Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital have 24-hour urgent care services to address immediate health concerns.

Insurance: These institutions accept commercial insurance and offer bilingual hotlines or public WeChat accounts for consultations, appointments, and health education.

Costs: At international hospitals and clinics, the registration fee usually ranges from several hundreds to over 1,000 yuan.

Pharmaceuticals: Unlike public hospitals, private hospitals in China, which are not government-funded, face fewer restrictions on purchasing medicines and medical equipment. They are allowed to purchase any medications and equipment that have been approved for use in China, based on their own needs and preferences. Consequently, for original imported medications that are approved and available in Shanghai, private hospitals tend to have a broader selection to choose from. This flexibility allows them to offer more diverse treatment options, including access to expensive original drugs that may not be available in public hospitals for example, Oxycodone for pain can be prescribed at a private hospital, but typically not at a public hospital.

We hope you found this first Health Byte column helpful! Look forward to future articles where we go into detail about which hospitals are known for high levels of excellence in certain medical areas.

Health Byte Tips:

In recognition of World Sleep Day, held annually to promote healthy sleep habits, it's important to address common misconceptions. Snoring, for instance, is not a benign symptom but may indicate underlying health issues such as obesity, anatomical irregularities in the mouth or nose, hormonal imbalances, endocrine disorders, sleep apnea, or genetic conditions. Seeking medical advice for sleep evaluation and timely intervention is crucial.

Upcoming Topics

The next segment will discuss vaccination considerations for expatriate infants in Shanghai.

About the Author

Cai Wenjun is a seasoned health reporter with the 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.