Health Tourism in China

In this article you will find the answer for:

• Medical Tourism in China.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• Hospital Accreditation in China.

• Top Treatments in China.

• Is China Safe?

Why China for Medical Tourism?

China has started late the development of the medical tourism industry. Until recently it had a bad international reputation for the quality and safety of its healthcare industry. The cost of medical treatments in China can be even 80 percent less than the same procedures in the USA. Nevertheless, China is among the most technologically developed nations.

Health tourism has shifted to a new way of meeting the needs of tourism and health, which means planned improvement of high-end medicine, professional and specialized treatment, traditional Chinese medicine healthcare, rehabilitation, and Wellness. 

Multiple private and governmental hospitals in big cities have set up international departments. Many top hospitals provide treatment that integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western health technology and methods. China is leading in stem cell investigation and hospitals that provide Western stem cell treatment that is still considered experimental or has yet to be allowed in their home country.

The Chinese National Tourism Administration (CNTA) believes that increasing the integration of healthcare and tourism could improve the industry’s development, having a major contribution to the national economy. 

Even though China has shown clear signs of progress and development in the field, it still can be hard to choose a medical retreat based on the bad international reputation it has, the language and cultural barriers you might experience, difficult visa requirements, and the overall information censorship.   

Traditional Chinese Medicine

China is also well known for its Traditional Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine has evolved over thousands of years. TCM professionals use a variety of mind and body exercises and treatments ( acupuncture, tai chi) along with various herbs to address health issues. TCM is an important aspect of Medical Tourism in China and you can find many Wellness and SPA resorts that offer traditional treatments such as: 

• Acupuncture: fine needles introduced gently into the skin
• Cupping: hot cups that create suction on your skin
• Herbs: powders, teas, and capsules made mostly from plants
• Meditation: a technique to calm your mind and thoughts
• Moxibustion: dried herbs burned near the skin
• Tai chi: slow movement exercise focusing on the breath

Even though it is a popular practice with a long history, scientific research has not found proof for traditional Chinese treatments such as qi or acupuncture points. The TCM  practice is not based on scientific knowledge, and there is a discrepancy among TCM practitioners regarding what diagnosis and approaches should be done for any given patient. The effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine continues to be badly studied and supported. So if you have any health concerns make sure you seek appropriate help and have the opinion of traditional medicine as well.

Hospital Accreditation in China

In 2019 a German medical supply company worked with an internationally accredited society DNV GL to manage the accreditation of two of its dialysis service departments and two of its hospitals in China to make sure they meet high standards of healthcare.

Hospitals in China are increasingly obtaining accreditation from international medical organizations to attract foreign patients and enhance their management.

One of the accreditation programs is run by the US-based NGO Joint Commission International. At the moment 102 Organizations from China have JCI accreditation with almost equal numbers of private and public hospitals.

Top Treatments in China

• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Stem cell research and treatment
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Orthopedics 

Safety in China

China is a pretty safe non-violent destination. Travelers are usually the victims of petty crimes and pickpocketing. But it can be avoided if you take the standard precautions and are very careful and pay attention to your stuff, especially in crowded areas.

Read more about safety in China on the following pages: 

LonelyPlanet

safearound.com

Travel.state.gov

Weather Description

China experiences diverse weather due to its vast size and landscapes. In the north, winters are cold, with temperatures around -4°C to 2°C (25°F to 36°F), while summers are hot, with temperatures of 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F). In the south, winters are milder, averaging 3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F), and summers are humid, with temperatures of 28°C to 33°C (82°F to 91°F). Western regions have cooler temperatures year-round, while northeastern areas face extremely cold winters, around -13°C to -18°C (8°F to -0.4°F). Plan according to your specific destination’s weather.