Clifford Hospital

Clifford Hospital: A Benchmark in Integrative Medicine, an International Healthcare Model

I. Hospital Overview

Clifford Hospital is a Grade A tertiary integrated Chinese and Western medicine hospital approved by the National Health Commission. Established with investment from Qifu Group, it commenced operations in 2001 and achieved Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation in 2010—the first traditional Chinese medicine hospital in China to receive this distinction. It stands as one of the largest integrated medical centers in South China.

The hospital is strategically located in the heart of Panyu District, Guangzhou (No. 8 Shiguang Road), adjacent to Guangzhou South Railway Station and Chimelong Tourism Resort, offering excellent transportation access. It currently operates three major campuses: the Main Campus (2,000 beds), Panyu Campus (specializing in rehabilitation medicine), and Clifford Hospital in Nanhai (Foshan Branch). Annual outpatient and emergency visits exceed 12 million, serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The hospital has cumulatively treated over 500,000 international patients.

As a non-directly affiliated hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and a teaching hospital of Jinan University Medical College, Clifford Hospital integrates medical care, education, research, prevention, health preservation, and rehabilitation. Guided by the principles of “integrating Chinese and Western medicine as its specialty, adhering to international standards, and pursuing comprehensive health management,” it strives to become a modern Chinese medicine hospital that is “domestically leading and internationally renowned.” In 2023, the hospital was designated as a “National Center for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Development,” establishing itself as a core hub for integrated medicine in South China.

II. Technical Advantages: Integrating East and West, Leading with Innovation

Clifford Hospital leverages “collaborative research in integrated medicine” as its core competency, transcending the limitations of single-modality approaches. It has developed distinctive technical strengths in chronic disease management, treatment of complex and critical conditions, and postoperative rehabilitation:

• Integrated Chinese-Western Treatment System: Pioneering the “Western precision treatment + Chinese holistic regulation” model for chronic conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. For instance, cancer patients undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy receive complementary TCM therapies to strengthen the body and eliminate pathogens, while acupuncture alleviates side effects, significantly improving quality of life. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular patients benefit from “thrombolysis/stent placement + TCM blood circulation enhancement + rehabilitative acupuncture,” reducing recurrence rates by over 30%.

• Minimally Invasive & Precision Medicine: Departments including General Surgery, Orthopedics, and Thoracic Surgery extensively utilize laparoscopic/robot-assisted surgeries (e.g., Da Vinci robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer), cardiac interventions (complex coronary stenting), and neurointerventions (thrombectomy for acute cerebral infarction) for minimal trauma and rapid recovery. Traditional Chinese medicine techniques like “visualized acupuncture-scalpel therapy” and “herbal particle implantation” achieve precise integration of traditional therapies with modern imaging technologies.

• Critical Care and Emergency Capabilities: Leveraging a JCI-accredited emergency system, we established a comprehensive green channel spanning “pre-hospital emergency care – emergency resuscitation – ICU monitoring.” The Emergency Department is equipped with internationally advanced mobile ICU ambulances capable of performing advanced life support techniques, including bedside ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The D-to-B time (door-to-balloon time) for acute myocardial infarction has been reduced to under 50 minutes, with a 95% success rate in severe trauma resuscitation.

• Research and Innovation Platform: Hosting national and provincial platforms, including the “Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Oncology: Strengthening the Body's Defenses and Eliminating Pathogens)” and the “Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Oncology,” the department has undertaken 12 national key R&D projects over the past five years. It received one National Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class) and developed over 30 new traditional Chinese medicine drugs and specialty formulations (e.g., Qifu Tumor Recovery Granules).

III. Leading Specialties: A Robust Matrix Covering the Entire Lifecycle

The hospital boasts a comprehensive array of specialized departments, including:

• 1 National Key Clinical Specialty (Cancer Center)

• 3 Key Specialties designated by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture, Neurology, Gastroenterology)

• 8 Provincial Key Specialties (Cardiovascular, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, Obstetrics and Gynecology, etc.)

This forms a distinctive system integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine with specialized disease management:

• Oncology Center: The largest integrated Chinese and Western medicine cancer treatment center in South China, treating over 20,000 patients annually. It implements multidisciplinary team (MDT) treatment combining “surgery + radiotherapy/chemotherapy + TCM regulation + immunotherapy,” developing personalized plans for lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, etc. Patient 5-year survival rates are 15%-20% higher than with Western medicine alone. Local therapies like TCM topical applications and enemas significantly alleviate symptoms such as cancer pain and ascites.

• Acupuncture Department: Designated as a National Key Specialty by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine during the 11th Five-Year Plan period. Pioneered the “visual needle-knife” technique (ultrasound-guided precision localization), achieving a 92% efficacy rate in treating cervical spondylosis and lumbar disc herniation. Offers “acupoint thread implantation” for metabolic syndrome regulation and “moxibustion/warm moxibustion” for chronic fatigue syndrome improvement. Related technologies are included in the National Appropriate Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Promotion Program.

• Rehabilitation Medicine Department: The largest integrated Chinese-Western medicine rehabilitation center in South China, equipped with intelligent rehabilitation robots and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices. Combining traditional therapies like acupuncture, massage, and herbal fumigation, it achieves “functional reconstruction + holistic regulation” for patients with post-stroke sequelae, spinal cord injuries, and post-fracture surgery, with a rehabilitation effectiveness rate exceeding 90%.

• Cardiovascular Department: Specializes in complex coronary interventions (e.g., left main coronary artery lesions, chronic total occlusions), performing over 3,000 interventional procedures annually. Also implements combined “Chinese herbal medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis” with “external counterpulsation” for chronic heart failure, reducing readmission rates by 40%.

IV. Departments & Medical Equipment: Dual Excellence in TCM & Western Equipment, Full-Chain Support

The hospital encompasses over 60 clinical and medical technology departments, including Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Neurology, etc.), Surgery (General Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Urology, etc.), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Rehabilitation, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Dentistry, Dermatology, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Preventive Medicine. This comprehensive coverage addresses the full spectrum of healthcare needs from prevention and treatment to rehabilitation.

Medical equipment integrates international advancements with traditional Chinese medicine characteristics, including:

• Imaging Diagnostics: 3.0T MRI, 256-slice spiral CT, PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography), Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), TCM Tongue/Pulse Diagnosis Instruments (objective TCM diagnostic devices);

• Surgery and Therapy: Fourth-generation Da Vinci surgical robot, linear accelerator (VMAT for oncology radiotherapy), holmium laser lithotripsy system, neuro-navigation system, TCM iontophoresis device (TCM external treatment equipment);

• Critical Care Support: ECMO, high-end ventilators (Maquet), continuous blood purification devices (Fresenius), TCM-directed transdermal drug delivery system (ICU adjunct therapy);

• Rehabilitation and TCM Specialties: Intelligent rehabilitation robots (upper/lower limbs), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices, herbal fumigation chambers, and ultrasound-guided visual needle-knife therapy systems.

V. International Patient Services: JCI Accreditation-Empowered, Trusted Globally

As China's first JCI-accredited traditional Chinese medicine hospital, Clifford Hospital has established a comprehensive international patient service system based on “global healthcare quality standards,” becoming a flagship institution for international medical services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area:

• Multilingual and Culturally Adaptive Support: Established an International Medical Center (IMC) with professional translators fluent in 10 languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Russian. Medical staff undergo cross-cultural communication training and respect patients' religious customs (e.g., dietary adjustments during Ramadan, provision of prayer spaces).

• Streamlined Care Process: Offers one-stop services including direct billing with overseas insurers (covering over 50 international providers like U.S. Blue Cross, UK BUPA, Singapore AIA), visa assistance (issuing medical invitation letters), medical record translation (Chinese-English bilingual), and internationally certified test reports (compliant with WHO standards).

• Premium treatment experience: The International Medical Department features dedicated outpatient zones and VIP wards (with private bathrooms, smart home systems, satellite TV), delivering customized treatment plans with 24/7 specialist support. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) specialty area employs bilingual TCM practitioners offering acupuncture, massage therapy, and medicinal cuisine for international patients.

• Cross-border Medical Collaboration: Established remote consultation mechanisms with Mayo Clinic (USA), Johns Hopkins Hospital (USA), The University of Tokyo Hospital (Japan), and National University Hospital (Singapore). Complex cases receive real-time expert consultation via 5G technology, with over 2,000 cross-border consultations completed to date.

VI. Medical Rankings and Influence: Leading in Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Nationally

• Domestic Rankings: Ranked among China's top 20 in Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Fudan University's 2024 China Hospital Rankings; placed within the national top 100 for Oncology, Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine in China's Hospital STEM Metrics; Cancer Center selected for three consecutive years as one of China's Top 10 Competitive Cancer Hospitals in Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine.

• International Influence: As the host institution for the WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine (China·Guangzhou), the hospital participated in developing three international standards, including the International Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Cancer Treatment and the International Standard for Acupuncture Treatment of Chronic Pain. It conducts joint research with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the European Association of Societies for Traditional Chinese Medicine (EASCM), with findings published in prestigious international journals such as JAMA Oncology and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

VII. International Patient Testimonials: Compassionate Care, Building Trust Across Cultures

“The doctors here not only controlled my lung cancer with advanced technology, but also used Chinese medicine and acupuncture to alleviate the nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy, giving me the confidence to keep living.” — —John, U.S. Patient (Post-Lung Cancer Surgery Recovery)

“Acupuncture reduced my lumbar disc herniation pain score from 8 to 0. Nurses even taught me moxibustion for home care. This holistic approach to healing truly moved me.” —Elizabeth, UK Patient (Chronic Low Back Pain)

“The International Medical Department's environment and translation services were exceptionally thoughtful. Upon discharge, the doctor provided a detailed English rehabilitation plan, even noting dietary restrictions in English—making me feel at home while abroad.” — Singaporean patient Ms. Chen (post-stroke rehabilitation)

VIII. Contact Information, Address, and Transportation Routes

• Main Switchboard: 020-84831200 (Inquiries); 020-84829999 (Emergency)

• WeChat Official Account: Clifford Hospital (Appointment booking, report inquiries, online consultation)

• Address: Main Campus (No. 8 Shiguang Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou); Panyu Campus (No. 246 Shiguang Road, Panyu District); Nanhai Branch (No. 152, Foping 2nd Road, Guicheng Subdistrict, Nanhai District, Foshan City)

• Transportation Routes:

• Subway: Main Campus near Exit D of Line 3 “Hanxi Changlong Station” (8-minute walk), or transfer to bus/taxi at Line 18 “Panyu Square Station” (approx. 15 min); Nanhai Branch is near Exit B of Metro Line 2 “Nangui Road Station” (10-minute walk).

• Bus: Main Campus: Take Bus No. 100, 108, 191, 301, etc., to “Clifford Hospital Station”; Nanhai Branch: Take Bus No. 226, 259, G631, etc., to “Nanhai Clifford Hospital Station”.

• Driving: The main campus features a large underground parking garage (paid: ¥10 for the first hour, ¥5 per hour thereafter). Public parking spaces are available near the Nanhai Branch (arrive 30 minutes early during peak hours).

Conclusion

Since opening in 1997, Clifford Hospital has upheld its mission of “Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine to Serve the World.” By preserving the essence of traditional Chinese medicine while embracing modern medical advancements, the hospital has earned the trust of patients globally through effective treatments and compassionate care. Moving forward, the hospital will deepen international collaborations, drive innovation in integrated medicine, and contribute its “Qifu Solution” to building a global health community—writing a new chapter in the legacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine.

Document dated 2025-09-15 21:30 Modify