Since China expanded its visa-free transit policy, international medical services have become a major draw for foreigners choosing to visit China. Shanghai, as the first port of entry, boasts abundant top-tier medical resources, with many hospitals having decades of experience in international medical care. In 2020 and 2023, Shanghai successively launched pilot programs for private and public international medical services, steadily advancing the sector.
Following the implementation of the Shanghai municipal standard "International Medical Service Specification" (DB31/T 1487—2024) — the first of its kind in China — Shanghai's medical brand has gained growing international recognition. Patients now travel around the world specifically for treatment in Shanghai.
Canadian Doctor Brings Daughter to Shanghai for Life-Changing Surgery
Dr. Kevin, a Chinese-Canadian physician practicing in Vancouver for 20 years, recently brought his 10-year-old daughter to Ruijin Hospital's Pancreatic Surgery Center. The girl was diagnosed with a rare giant solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas.
"We consulted top specialists across Canada, the US, and Japan," Kevin said. "The consensus was that removing the tumor would require removing her spleen as well." Kevin couldn't accept that his 10-year-old daughter should lose an important organ.
A breakthrough came through social media, where Kevin found a patient sharing a similar story about Ruijin Hospital's laparoscopic robotic surgery, which could reduce surgical damage and increase the chance of spleen preservation. Dr. Jin Jiabin, the attending surgeon, developed a minimally invasive robot-assisted spleen-preserving surgical plan.
On January 10, Dr. Jin's team performed the surgery. Using precise robotic control, they carefully separated the pancreatic tumor from the tightly connected splenic vessels, performed delicate suturing on small splenic vessel branches, and successfully removed the tumor while preserving the spleen. The total cost for the two-week treatment was approximately 160,000 RMB (about $22,000 USD). "This was an extremely challenging surgery, and they preserved my daughter's organ. We believe it was absolutely worth it," Kevin said.
Brazilian Girl Gets a Second Chance at Shanghai Ninth Hospital
Three-year-old Zara from Brazil was born with a severely enlarged left foot, forcing her to wear two different shoe sizes. Doctors in Brazil and the US all recommended amputation as the only option.
Her family discovered Dr. Sun Wenhai of Shanghai Ninth Hospital through social media. Despite an 11-hour time difference, Dr. Sun's team conducted a three-hour online consultation, analyzing her condition and showing successful cases.
In August, Zara underwent an eight-hour microsurgical reconstruction: abnormal tissue removed, bone reshaped, and both function and appearance restored. For the first time in her life, Zara wore two matching shoes.
Shanghai's International Medical Standards
Shanghai hospitals are developing personalized international service models. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals have opened international departments offering acupuncture, massage, and auricular therapy experiences. Yueyang Hospital's International Medical Center, launched in November 2025, provides one-stop TCM services with multilingual support.
Private hospitals also play a vital role. Parkway Health, with 20+ years in Shanghai, has served nearly 500,000 patients from 77 countries. They offer overnight pre-surgery observation and 24-hour surgical discharge options for busy professionals. Bright Eye Hospital provides cataract surgery with English-language support led by Dr. Lu Yi, ranked 2nd globally in cataract surgery by Expertscape in 2022.
Looking Ahead
Shanghai hospitals are actively participating in international health expos and establishing cross-border medical collaborations. The city's first International Medical Service Standard has significantly improved multilingual services, appointment-based care, direct insurance billing, and international medical tourism procedures.
Source: Shangguan News / Liberation Daily · By Huang Yangzi & Gu Yong