Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone

Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone: China's “Test Bed” for Healthcare Opening and a New International Health Landmark

I. Introduction

Established in 2013, the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone (hereinafter referred to as the “Pilot Zone”) is China's first national-level medical tourism platform centered on “international medical tourism” and supported by “special medical licensing” policies. Premier Li Keqiang has hailed it as “Boao Lecheng, a special zone for medical services.” Located in Boao Town, Qionghai City, Hainan Province, the Pilot Zone adjoins the permanent venue of the Boao Forum for Asia. It boasts tropical coastal ecological resources and spans a total planned area of approximately 20.14 square kilometers.

Leveraging special policies granted by the state, including the “Nine National Policies” (such as the Implementation Plan for Supporting the Construction of the Boao Lvcheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone), the Pilot Zone has become China's sole medical special zone authorized to simultaneously utilize internationally innovative drugs and medical devices while conducting real-world data application trials. It also serves as the core vehicle for Hainan Free Trade Port's “Health Island” initiative. To date, the pilot zone has attracted over 160 renowned domestic and international medical institutions covering oncology, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, rare diseases, medical aesthetics, and rehabilitation. It has cumulatively deployed over 300 types of international innovative drugs and medical devices, serving more than 100,000 international patients, earning recognition as “China's window to global healthcare.”

II. Technological Advantages

The pilot zone's core competitiveness stems from triple empowerment through “policy + technology + resources”:

1. Breakthroughs in Specialized Medical Policies: Permits simultaneous use of internationally innovative drugs and medical devices not yet approved domestically (e.g., targeted cancer drugs, gene therapy drugs, high-end medical devices), shifting from “patients waiting for drugs” to “drugs and devices waiting for patients.” Conducts real-world studies (RWS) to accelerate domestic registration of innovative drugs and devices, shortening the time for global new drugs to enter China (by an average of 3-5 years).

2. Cutting-edge technology convergence: Partnerships with world-leading institutions, including Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Japan's Cancer Institute Hospital, have established collaborative medical programs. This includes launching a Proton Therapy Center (featuring the world's 6th Leksell Gamma Knife and China's first proton radiotherapy system), Da Vinci surgical robots, and CAR-T cell therapy centers. These cutting-edge facilities cover precision oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and cellular regeneration.

3. Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Model: For complex and critical conditions (e.g., intricate tumors, rare genetic disorders), we integrate domestic and international expert resources to deliver “one-stop” treatment plans, achieving internationally leading efficiency and precision in diagnosis and therapy.

III. Advantageous Specialties

The Pilot Zone focuses on “high-end, cutting-edge, and scarce” medical needs, forming a differentiated cluster of specialized strengths:

• Oncology Specialty: Covers common cancers like lung, breast, and lymphoma, as well as pediatric tumors. Offers full-cycle management from early screening (liquid biopsy) and precision diagnosis (genetic sequencing) to surgery (Da Vinci robotics), radiotherapy (proton therapy), and immunotherapy (CAR-T). Five-year survival rates exceed the national average by 15%-20%.

• Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Specialty: Performs complex coronary interventions (e.g., chronic total occlusion), structural heart disease procedures (interventional closure), and stroke thrombectomy. Personalized medication plans follow international guidelines (e.g., American Heart Association standards), reducing D-to-B time (door-to-balloon) for acute MI patients to under 60 minutes.

• Rare Disease Diagnosis & Treatment: Partnering with the China Rare Disease Alliance, we establish an end-to-end system encompassing “genetic testing - precision diagnosis - targeted therapy” covering over 100 rare diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Fabry disease, and Gaucher disease. We introduce international orphan drugs such as Novartis' Zolgensma (the world's most expensive gene therapy) and Bluebird Bio's β-thalassemia gene therapy.

• Medical Aesthetics: Partnering with institutions like JK Plastic Surgery (South Korea) and Kyoritsu Beauty Surgery (Japan), we offer facial rejuvenation (Thermage, Ultherapy), body contouring (Cryolipolysis), and hair transplantation (FUE technique). Using authentic products like hyaluronic acid (Juvederm, Restylane) and botulinum toxin (Botox), we achieve over 98% patient satisfaction post-procedure.

• Rehabilitation Medicine: For post-surgical recovery, nerve damage (e.g., spinal cord injury), and chronic pain, we utilize advanced equipment, including Swiss Hocoma rehabilitation robots and American Biodex isokinetic muscle training systems. Combined with traditional Chinese acupuncture and exercise therapy, these approaches aid functional restoration, reducing average hospitalization by 30%.

IV. Core Departments

Medical institutions within the pilot zone are organized according to a “specialized and internationalized” model. Core departments include:

• Cancer Center (including Radiation Oncology, Chemotherapy, and Immunotherapy)

• Cardiovascular Medicine/Surgery

• Neurology/Neurosurgery

• Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center

• Medical Aesthetics Center

• Rehabilitation Medicine Center

• International Health Screening Center (including early cancer screening and genetic testing)

• General Practice Department (comprehensive health management for international patients)

V. Medical Devices and Services

The Pilot Zone serves as the “first port of entry” for FDA- and CE-certified medical devices and pharmaceuticals into China. Commonly used innovative equipment includes:

• Oncology Treatment: Swedish Elekta Infinity Linear Accelerator, American Varian Halcyon Smart Radiotherapy System, Novartis Kymriah (CAR-T Cell Therapy).

• Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular: Medtronic CardioInsight Cardiac Electrophysiology Mapping System, Boston Scientific Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Implant, Abbott Xience Drug-Eluting Stent.

• Aesthetic Medicine: Juvederm Voluma (Hyaluronic Acid), Botox (Botulinum Toxin), Syneron Picoway Picosecond Laser.

• Rehabilitation: Swiss Hocoma Lokomat lower limb rehabilitation robot, American DJO Global gait trainer.

VI. International Patient Services

The Pilot Zone delivers seamless end-to-end care based on “internationalization and humanization”:

• Multilingual Support: Translation services in 10+ languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic, with International Medical Coordinators (IMCs) facilitating communication.

• Direct Billing: Partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) in the US, Japan's International Health and Welfare Promotion Foundation, and select Middle Eastern healthcare insurers for direct payment settlements.

• Visa Facilitation: Overseas passport holders enjoy a 144-hour transit visa exemption (requires proof of departure within 3 days) and access to a dedicated “medical tourism” visa channel.

• Comprehensive Patient Guidance: One-on-one accompaniment services from airport/high-speed rail station pickup (private transfer), hospital registration, examinations/treatments, to post-discharge follow-ups.

• Accommodation Solutions: Partnerships with Boao Lvcheng Ruijin International Hospital Apartments, Le Méridien Hotel, and others provide medical-grade lodging (including post-operative care and nutritional meal plans).

VII. International Patient Testimonials

• John (Prostate Cancer, USA): “They use the latest FDA-approved targeted prostate cancer drugs here. The medical team consists of Johns Hopkins specialists. The treatment process is more efficient than in the US, and I saved 40% on costs.”

• Ms. Park (Breast Cancer Post-Surgery Recovery, South Korea): "The robotic-assisted training at the rehabilitation center is amazing! My arm mobility recovered much faster than expected. Nurses remind me daily in Korean to do rehab exercises—they're as caring as family."

• Middle Eastern patient Ahmed (congenital heart disease): “The Proton Therapy Center's technology spared my child from open-heart surgery. He was discharged just one week post-op. The pilot zone feels like a resort—nothing like a hospital.”

VIII. Contact Information

• International Patient Service Center Address: No. 2 Kangxiang Road, Pilot Zone (adjacent to Lvcheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Visitor Center)

IX. Address & Transportation Routes

• Address: No. 2 Kangxiang Road, Boao Lvcheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, Qionghai City, Hainan Province (Core Medical District).

• Transportation Routes:

• By Air:

◦ Haikou Meilan International Airport (approx. 50 km from the Pilot Zone): Take the airport shuttle bus “Lele Special Line” (approx. 1 hour) or a taxi (approx. 1 hour, fare 150-200 RMB).

◦ Sanya Phoenix International Airport (approx. 180 km from the Pilot Zone): Take the high-speed rail to “Boao Station” (approx. 1.5 hours), then transfer to the park shuttle bus (10 minutes).

• High-Speed Rail:

◦ Take the high-speed rail to “Boao Station” (Qionghai Station/Meilan Station are also accessible). After exiting the station, take a taxi to the Pilot Zone (approx. 15 minutes, fare 20-30 RMB), or board the free shuttle bus (runs every 30 minutes).

• By Car:

◦ Navigate to “Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone.” Take G98 Hainan Ring Expressway to the “Boao Exit,” then follow signs into the Pilot Zone.

Summary

The Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone serves not only as a “testing ground” for China's healthcare reform but also as a “new destination” for global patients seeking premium medical resources. Here, the unique advantages of “innovative drugs and medical devices readily accessible,” “seamless international services,” and “natural ecology coexisting with medical safeguards” are injecting “Chinese vitality” into global health initiatives.

Document dated 2025-09-12 17:31 Modify