The First Affiliated Hospital Of Guangzhou Medical Collage

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University: A National Leader in Respiratory Medicine and a Comprehensive Healthcare Hub

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University is a Grade A tertiary general hospital directly affiliated with Guangzhou Medical University. As the core teaching hospital of the national “Double First-Class” university (Guangzhou Medical University), it also serves as the designated institution for the National Center for Respiratory Medicine and the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases. With respiratory medicine as its flagship specialty, the hospital has established nationally leading advantages in critical care, minimally invasive surgery, and comprehensive cancer treatment. It stands as a benchmark institution in South China for integrating medical care, teaching, and research. Currently operating three campuses—Yuexiu District Riverside Campus, Haizhu District Haiyin Campus, and Liwan District Datansha Campus (under construction)—it implements a “multi-campus, differentiated development” model, serving over ten million residents in Guangzhou and surrounding areas.

I. Hospital Profile: Centennial Legacy and National Mission

Founded in 1903 as the “Guangzhou Sino-French Taomei Hospital,” The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University has evolved over a century from a missionary hospital into a modern comprehensive institution integrating medical care, teaching, research, and prevention. With a total floor area exceeding 600,000 square meters (including the under-construction Datansha Campus), the hospital operates over 3,000 beds, handles more than 6 million outpatient and emergency visits annually, and discharges over 150,000 patients yearly. Designated by the National Health Commission as a “Designated Hospital for Severe COVID-19 Treatment,” the hospital achieved the “Guangzhou Miracle” during the 2020 pandemic with a severe case recovery rate exceeding 95%. Academician Zhong Nanshan's team spearheaded the development of the world's first “COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol” here, contributing the “Chinese Solution” to the global fight against the pandemic.

The hospital maintains deep institutional affiliations: serving as the First Clinical College of Guangzhou Medical University and a National Key Base for Standardized Resident Training, while also being designated as a Guangdong Provincial High-Level Hospital Construction Unit (first batch) and a National Project for Enhancing Diagnosis and Treatment Capabilities for Complex Diseases. It represents national standards in respiratory medicine, critical care medicine, thoracic surgery, and related fields.

II. Technical Strengths: Leading in Respiratory Medicine, Multidisciplinary Collaborative Innovation

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University adopts a core strategy of “respiratory medicine as the flagship, with multidisciplinary collaborative development.” Its technical strengths focus on “treatment of complex critical illnesses + cutting-edge technological innovation”:

• Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care: Leveraging the National Center for Respiratory Medicine, it established the world's first “Respiratory Medicine Big Data Platform,” advancing technologies including: Notably, Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) achieves 98% diagnostic accuracy for peripheral lung cancer, while High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) demonstrates over 90% success rate in treating neonatal respiratory failure (exceeding international standards).

• Critical Care: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is equipped with world-leading devices, including ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), and Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP). The success rate for rescuing critically ill patients with severe trauma, sepsis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) reaches 89%, ranking first in South China.

• Minimally Invasive Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Care: Thoracic Surgery performs Da Vinci robot-assisted radical resection for lung/esophageal cancer (annual volume exceeds 2,000 cases, ranking among China's top three). Urology employs natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) for adrenal tumors. The Cancer Center integrates immunotherapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors), targeted therapy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), achieving a 45% five-year survival rate for lung cancer (approaching internationally advanced levels).

III. Leading Specialties: National Clinical Key Specialties at the Forefront, Multidisciplinary Collaborative Development

The hospital boasts a comprehensive departmental structure, forming a disciplinary system comprising “1 National Medical Center + 7 National Clinical Key Specialties + 15 Provincial Key Specialties”:

• National Medical Center: National Center for Respiratory Medicine (one of only two nationwide, leading national respiratory disease diagnosis, treatment, and research).

• National Key Clinical Specialties: Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (No. 1 nationally), Thoracic Surgery (Top 3 nationally), Critical Care Medicine (No. 1 in South China), Urology (No. 1 in Guangdong Province), Anesthesiology, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (specializing in integrated TCM-Western medicine treatment for respiratory diseases).

• Provincial Key Specialties: Cardiovascular Medicine (coronary intervention, arrhythmia radiofrequency ablation), Gastroenterology (endoscopic early cancer resection), Orthopedics (spinal minimally invasive surgery), Obstetrics and Gynecology (high-risk pregnancy management), Pediatrics (pediatric respiratory disease treatment), etc.

• Specialized Specialties:

• Respiratory Disease Innovation Center: Conducts lung transplantation (South China's first lung transplant performed here), airway interventional therapy (argon plasma coagulation/cryoablation), and non-invasive ventilation treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

• Emergency and Trauma Center: Accredited by the National Trauma Center, it has established a comprehensive “air rescue-ground transport-surgical treatment” system, reducing critical trauma patient response times to within the “golden hour.”

IV. Departmental Structure: Comprehensive Coverage for Diverse Needs

Beyond its key specialties, the hospital houses over 40 clinical and medical technology departments, including:

• Internal Medicine System: Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (National Key), Cardiovascular Medicine (Coronary Intervention), Gastroenterology (ERCP), Neurology (Cerebrovascular Intervention), Endocrinology (Comprehensive Diabetes Management).

• Surgical System: Thoracic Surgery (National Key, Da Vinci robotic surgery), Urology (National Key, percutaneous nephrolithotomy), General Surgery (laparoscopic gastrectomy/radical resection for gastric/colorectal cancer), Neurosurgery (cerebral aneurysm clipping), Orthopedics (minimally invasive spine surgery).

• Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics: Obstetrics (painless delivery, management of placenta previa), Pediatrics (standardized treatment for childhood asthma, Kawasaki disease care).

• Other Departments: Ophthalmology (phacoemulsification cataract surgery, femtosecond laser vision correction), Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (snoring treatment, minimally invasive laryngeal cancer surgery), Dermatology (allergic skin diseases, biologic therapy for psoriasis), etc.

V. Medical Equipment: World-Class Devices Empowering Precision Diagnosis and Treatment

The hospital is equipped with globally leading medical devices to support cutting-edge technologies and clinical needs:

• Respiratory Medicine Equipment: German Jaeger spirometer (global gold standard), Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscope (ENB), High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) ventilator, Cryotherapy device (for airway tumor ablation).

• Imaging Diagnostics: Siemens Prisma 3.0T MRI (Germany), GE Revolution 256-slice spiral CT (dedicated to low-dose lung cancer screening), Philips Ingenia 3.0T MRI (70cm large bore).

• Oncology Treatment Equipment: Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator (supporting VMAT and IGRT), CyberKnife stereotactic body radiation therapy system, interventional surgery robot (DSA digital subtraction angiography system).

• Critical Care Equipment: German Maquet ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), American Tyco PB840 ventilator (high-frequency mode), Dutch Philips IntelliVue MX800 monitor (multi-parameter real-time monitoring).

• Surgical Equipment: Da Vinci Surgical System (Xi platform, performing minimally invasive thoracic, urological, and gynecological surgeries), German Zeiss Lumera Microscope (for neurosurgical/ophthalmic precision procedures).

VI. International Patient Services: Multilingual, Full-Process, Globalized

As a key gateway for international medical services in South China, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College provides foreign patients with comprehensive, one-stop care:

• Multilingual Support: Equipped with professional translation teams fluent in English, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and more. The international outpatient clinic offers bilingual guidance, medical record translation (English/Japanese/Korean, etc.), and key department physicians trained in international healthcare.

• Direct Billing with International Insurers: Partnering with global insurers like MSH (Mansfield Health), Cigna, and BUPA to facilitate direct settlements and streamline payment processes.

• Personalized Care: Our International Medical Department (Yangjiang Campus) offers VIP rooms (with private bathrooms, guest areas, high-speed internet), customized diets (halal, vegetarian, gluten-free options), and religious accommodation services (prayer rooms, holiday observances).

• Convenient Services: Visa extension assistance, transportation arrangements (via international travel agencies), and remote consultations (connecting to global leaders like Johns Hopkins Hospital and Imperial College London Hospital).

• Cultural Adaptation: Multilingual hospital guides and treatment process videos are provided. Medical staff undergo cross-cultural communication training to minimize language and cultural barriers.

VII. Medical Rankings: Nationally Leading, Internationally Renowned

• Domestic Rankings: Ranked 42nd overall in Fudan University's 2023 China Hospital Rankings, with Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine ranked #1 nationally (maintaining top position for 15 consecutive years); Thoracic Surgery and Critical Care Medicine both ranked within the national top 10.

• International Influence: As a WHO Collaborating Center for Respiratory Diseases, the hospital contributed to developing the Global Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the International Consensus on Lung Cancer Screening. It has conducted over 50 global multicenter clinical trials with partners including the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and University College London (UCL), with research findings published in leading journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet.

VIII. International Patient Testimonials: “A Global Model of Professionalism and Warmth in Healthcare”

• “As a lung cancer patient from the United States, I underwent Da Vinci robotic surgery here, achieving complete tumor removal. The doctors from Academician Zhong Nanshan's team patiently explained the treatment plan in English, and nurses visited my room daily to check on me.” — David (58, USA)

• “My mother suffered from severe COPD. Here, her condition stabilized through high-frequency ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy. Doctors also taught us how to perform pulmonary rehabilitation exercises at home. This ‘treatment + education’ approach is incredibly thoughtful.” — Mary (45, Canada)

• “As a Japanese executive working in Guangzhou, I was admitted for acute pancreatitis. The ICU team saved me from shock using ECMO and CRRT. Not only were their skills exceptional, but they also used simple Japanese to calm my nerves, making me feel the warmth of home.” — Ken Sato (40, Japan)

IX. Contact Information, Address, and Transportation Routes

• Address:

• Yanjiang Campus (Main Campus): 151 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (near Metro Line 6 “Tuan Yida Square Station”);

• Haiyin Campus: 33 Yingfeng Street, Dongxiaonan Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (near Metro Line 2 “Dongxiaonan Road Station”);

• Datansha Campus (Under Construction): Zhongzhong Road, Datansha Island, Liwan District, Guangzhou (Expected to open in 2025).

• Contact Information:

• Switchboard: 020-83062114 (Yanjiang Campus), 020-34294120 (Haiyin Campus);

• International Medical Department: 020-83062114 ext. 8010 (English/Japanese services);

• WeChat Official Account: “The First Affiliated Hospital Of Guangzhou Medical College”.

• Transportation Routes:

• Subway: For Yanjiang Campus, take Line 6 to “Tuan Yi Da Square Station” Exit A; for Haiyin Campus, take Line 2 to “Dongxiao South Road Station” Exit B.

• Bus: Near Yanjiang Campus is “Renmin South Road Station” (Routes 3, 228, 238, etc.); Haiyin Campus: “Dongxiaonan Road Station” (Routes 184, 263, 765, etc.).

• Driving: Underground parking available at both campuses (Yanjing Campus: ¥8/hour; Haiyin Campus: Free). Navigate using the respective campus name.

Conclusion

From its origins as a missionary hospital in 1903 to its current status as the “National Center for Respiratory Medicine,” The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University has steadfastly upheld its mission of “safeguarding life and health.” It has continuously advanced in fields such as respiratory medicine, critical care, and minimally invasive surgery. Whether through the “national treasure” developed by Academician Zhong Nanshan's team or the compassionate care provided to international patients, the hospital has solidified its pivotal role in South China's and the global healthcare landscape. Looking ahead, with the completion and operation of the Datansha Campus, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College will expand its reach across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, delivering world-class medical services to more patients.

Document dated 2025-09-15 18:27 Modify