China is working towards its aim of basic healthcare availability for all of its citizens, although there is not a 'national health service' and everyone has to pay for medical care. Due to the pressures placed on the public health system by an aging population and increased awareness of general health issues, people are now being encouraged to subscribe to health insurance policies.
GP
English-speaking doctors practice at the following medical centres:
- World Link Medical Center
No. 203 W Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
Telephone: (86-21) 6279 7688 or (86 21) 6279 8129 - Shanghai Seaman's Hospital
505 Dong Chang Zhi Road
Telephone: (86-21) 6595 2822 - MedicoAsia Group AMIC clinic
Zhongshan Hospital C-3F, No. 180 Fenglin Road
Telephone: (86 136) 8165 3773 - Immigration Medical Centre Shanghai Power Hospital
13/F, 937 West Yan An Road Shanghai 200 050
Telephone: (86-21) 5239 8391
Your embassy will often be able to provide you with a list of doctors or dentists from your home country who are practising locally.
Many health centres also have Chinese medicine practitioners who are able to speak English.
Hospitals
Shanghai has a number of well-equipped hospitals and clinics, with international staff. Many large hospitals also have VIP or foreigners' clinics (gaogan bingfang) where you can expect to find up to date technology and English-speaking doctors and nurses. If you attend a private hospital, you will often be asked for a deposit or payment in advance of any treatment.
The following international hospitals and VIP clinics offer healthcare for foreigners in Shanghai:
- International SOS - Address: 11C, Guangdong Development Bank Tower 555 Xujiahui Road Tel: 62959951
- World Link Medical Centres, Portman Clinic - Address: Shanghai Center, Suite 203 West , 1376, Nanjing West Road Tel: 62797668/ appointments: 62798678 E-mail: admin@worldlink-shanghai.com
- World Link Medical Centres, Hong Qiao - Address: Mandarine City, Unit 30, 788 Hong Xu Lu Tel: 64055788
- AEA International Address: 189 Zhongshan Xi Lu Tel: 62590099
- Huashan Worldwide Medical Center Foreigner's Clinic Address: 15th Floor, Zong He Lu, 12 Wulumuqi Lu Tel: 62483986
- Huadong Hospital Foreign Clinic Address: 2nd Floor, 221 , Yanan West Road Tel: 62484867
- Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University Address: 197, Ruijin Er Road Tel: 64370045
- Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University Address: 145, Shandong Middle Road Tel: 63260930
- Zhongshan Hospital Address: 180, Fenglin Road Tel: 6404 1990
Dental Services
- Arrail Dental Address: Unit 204, Lippo Plaza, 222 Huai Hai Zhong Road Tel: 53966538/ 53966539/ 53563380
- Dr. Harriet Jin's Dental Surgery Address: Room 17C, Sun Tong Infoport Plaza, No. 55 Huai Hai West Road Tel: 5298799 E-mail: harrietjin@online.sh.cn
Ambulances are not generally well-equipped and it may be better to take a taxi or your own vehicle to the hospital in the case of an emergency.
Update 24/11/2006
Expatriate health insurance in China
With so much to deal with before leaving your home country, (taxes, moving house, paperwork etc.) the careful planning of your expatriation to Shanghai is an essential step. As far as healthcare is concerned, your local social security scheme won’t be accompanying you to your host country and, once abroad, you might be surprised by the care system you find in China So, before leaving, make sure you have appropriate cover!
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