China not only has medical tourism, but also in recent years this industry has developed rapidly and become an important player in the global medical tourism market. Relying on rich medical resources, specialty therapies (e.g., Chinese medicine), policy support (e.g., medical liberalization of Hainan's free trade port) and tourism resource advantages, China has formed a medical tourism system covering multiple types of medical tourism, including disease treatment, health management, rehabilitation and wellness, and medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, which attracts a large number of international tourists and domestic high-net-worth people.
Background of the development of medical tourism in China
The rise of medical tourism in China is closely related to the following factors:
. Policy support: In 2013, the State Council approved the establishment of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Advance Zone (hereinafter referred to as “Lecheng Advance Zone”) in Hainan. (hereinafter referred to as “Lecheng”), giving it four major policies of “licensed medical treatment, licensed research, licensed operation and licensed international medical exchanges”, and allowing the use of medicines and medical devices (such as yttrium-90 microspheres for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, and sodium nocinazene, a drug for spinal muscular atrophy) that have been marketed outside China and not yet available domestically, thus providing convenience for international patients. international patients.
. Improvements in medical technology: China has reached international standards in cancer treatment (e.g., proton heavy ion radiation therapy, CAR-T cell therapy), cardiovascular and cerebrovascular interventions, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physical therapy; some private hospitals (e.g., UFH, MCCC) have been accredited by the Joint Commission on International Healthcare Initiative (JCI), and their services are on par with international standards.
. Rich tourism resources: China has diverse natural landscapes (e.g., the beaches of Sanya, the longevity town of Bama in Yunnan), history and culture (e.g., ancient monuments in Xi'an, Tibetan culture in Tibet), and ethnic medicine (e.g., Miao and Tibetan medicine), which can be combined with medical services to form a “medical + tourism” composite experience. "The main types of medical tourism in China are as follows
Main types of medical tourism in China
According to the content of services and target groups, China's medical tourism can be divided into the following categories:
1. Disease treatment category (serious/difficult diseases)
Focusing on the treatment of major diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, rare diseases and organ transplantation, combined with post-operative rehabilitation.
Typical cases :
. Hainan Lecheng Advanced Zone: Introducing international new drugs (e.g., anti-cancer drugs not yet marketed in China) and high-end medical devices (e.g., surgical robots, proton therapy equipment) to attract patients from Southeast Asia and around the world. For example, some leukemia patients use CAR-T cell therapy through LeCity while enjoying Hainan's rehabilitation and convalescent environment.
. Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine: As a JCI-accredited tertiary hospital, it provides international patients with treatment for complex diseases such as hematology and oncology, supporting services such as visa assistance and international insurance docking.
2. Health management category (physical examination + prevention)
High-end medical checkups, early cancer screening, and genetic testing as the core, combined with leisure and vacation.
Typical organizations :
. Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) and Shanghai Meizhong Yiho Women's and Children's Hospital (MYCH): They offer “medical checkup + hot springs hotel” and “medical checkup + island tour” packages, which include PET-CT whole-body screening, tumor marker testing and other items, and adopt international standard procedures (e.g., Japan's early cancer screening technology). screening technology).
. Shenzhen Huaxia Ophthalmology Hospital: Provides “precision ophthalmology examination + myopia correction surgery + coastal vacation” package for high-end people, which attracts Southeast Asian and domestic high-net-worth people.
3. Rehabilitation (chronic disease/post-operative rehabilitation)
Focusing on traditional Chinese medicine physiotherapy, hot spring rehabilitation and chronic disease management, it is suitable for post-operative recovery and chronic disease management.
Typical destinations :
. Chinese medicine resources: Chengdu, Sichuan Province (Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital), Foshan, Guangdong Province (Kushengtang Chinese medicine chain), Bozhou, Anhui Province (“Chinese medicine capital”, combining Chinese medicine concoctions and physical therapy).
. Natural treatment type: Bama, Guangxi (the world's longevity town, relying on negative oxygen ions, alkaline water, geomagnetic environment, providing “longevity village treatment + Chinese medicine physiotherapy” package);. Kunming/Dali, Yunnan (mild climate, combined with hot springs, medicinal baths, Tai Chi courses); .
. Hot springs rehabilitation type: Fuzhou, Fujian (Gui'an Hot Spring), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province (Tangshan Hot Spring), some hotels and hospitals to cooperate, the introduction of “hot springs + rehabilitation training” package (such as arthritis, diabetes, hot springs and spa patients). 4.
4. Medical and plastic surgery (beauty + tourism)
The centerpiece of this category is the medical and cosmetic programs such as double eyelids, nose jobs, liposuction, skin management, etc., combined with sightseeing and shopping.
. Popular cities: Shanghai (Shanghai Jiuyuan Plastic Surgery), Beijing (Badaqi Plastic Surgery Hospital), Chengdu (Huahan Plastic Surgery), Sanya, Hainan (a number of private medical and aesthetic institutions).
. Package design: For example, “Sanya 5-day medical beauty + tourism” package, including facial rejuvenation surgery (such as Thermage, ultrasonic scalpel), post-operative restoration care, Wuzhizhou Island tour, duty-free shopping and so on. The package includes facial rejuvenation surgery (e.g. Thermage, Ultrasonic Surgery), post-surgery restorative care, Wuzhizhou Island tour, duty-free shopping, etc. The target groups are mainly Southeast Asian women and domestic high net worth women.
The core advantages of China's medical tourism
. Policy dividend: Hainan Lecheng Advanced Zone, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area and other regions to relax the medical tourism policy (such as expanding the scope of licensed medicines and equipment, simplify the process of international patients to enter the country), to attract the global resources to gather.
. Technology and cost-effectiveness: Compared with developed countries in Europe and the United States, the cost-effectiveness of China's medical tourism packages is outstanding. For example, a PET-CT whole-body screening in the United States is about 10,000 U.S. dollars, and similar services in private hospitals in China's first-tier cities are only 1/3-1/2 of the price; traditional Chinese medicine physical therapy (such as acupuncture, massage) costs only 1/2-2/3 of those in South Korea and Thailand.
. Integration of culture and tourism: China's rich tourism resources (such as Sanya's beaches, Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Tibet's Tibetan culture) can be combined with medical services to enhance the adhesion of tourists. For example, Thai tourists choose Sanya's “Traditional Chinese Medicine Physical Therapy + Tianya Haijiao Tour” package, which is both a cure for illness and an experience of Chinese culture.
the development trend
. Policy dividend release: Hainan Free Trade Port, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area and other regions will further relax the medical tourism policy (such as expanding the scope of licensed medicines, simplify the process of entry of international patients).
. Digital empowerment: Enhance the efficiency of international patient services through remote consultation, AI-assisted diagnosis and other technologies; use of big data to accurately match the needs of the customer base (e.g. recommending spa packages for diabetic patients).
. Branding and internationalization: Head institutions (e.g., Boao Lesheng, United Family) will strengthen international accreditation (e.g., JCI, ISO) and cooperate with international insurance companies (e.g., Allianz, Prudential) to promote the “medical + insurance” linkage model. insurance" model.
Summary
China's medical tourism has entered a period of rapid development from the “budding stage”, and has become a “rising star” in the global medical tourism market thanks to its policy support, technological advantages and integration of resources. In the future, as international recognition increases and resources integrate, medical tourism will become a “rising star” in the global market. In the future, with increased international recognition and service standardization, China is expected to attract more tourists from around the world and become an important combination of the “Healthy China” strategy and the “Culture and Tourism Integration” strategy.