As our country expands its scope of visa-free countries and implements a 240-hour transit-free policy, more and more foreigners are visiting china. Among them, a number of foreigners “go across the sea to see the disease” and share their experiences of medical treatment in china on social platforms。
Many years ago, some chinese chose to go far to europe and the developed countries to receive better treatment. The current wave of “foreigners coming to china for medical treatment” is called “reverse medical treatment”. Go on, make a stark contrast. The logic behind foreigners' “floating across the sea to see the disease” is clear — chinese health care is more “sexually expensive” than it is。
“reverse access to health care” is like a mirror showing the “hard core” power of chinese medicine. Many foreigners come to the conclusion through their own experience — that medical treatment in china is neither difficult nor expensive. Efficient, low-cost and high-quality health care is becoming a global label for chinese medicine。
The first is efficiency. A number of foreign netizens have stated that it may take months for them to see specialists, check-ups, appointments and surgery in their country. In china, it is “magic” to be able to arrange surgery within a few days after registration and examination on that day. In fact, the rapid pace and efficiency of china's health-care system is the result of a large population base that is “back to back”. In particular, in large hospitals, doctors work almost exclusively and overtime becomes the norm. Some doctors visit 60 or 70 patients a day, are afraid to drink water and are afraid to go to the toilet. In 2024, the total number of visits to health institutions nationwide was 10. 15 billion, and the average number of days of hospitalization for hospital patients was 8. 6. The health-care system, which operates so efficiently, encompasses the enormous effort and selfless dedication of chinese doctors。
Next is the low price. Foreign nationals visiting china have generally indicated that the overall cost of public hospitals in china, even at full cost, is far lower than in their own countries. For a long time, the prices of medical services in public hospitals in china have been set mainly by the government, most of the medical equipment has been financially invested, and many of the inspection and surgical projects have been far below cost. In order to avoid excessive medical care, the health sector strictly controls the cost of medical treatment. In 2024, hospital hospitalization costs averaged $9870 and outpatient visits averaged $361. At the same time, the health-care sector, through a combination of measures such as the centralized procurement of medicines and the negotiation of access to health-care catalogues, has made it possible to reduce the price of medicines to the maximum benefit of patients。
Finally, quality. China's health-care technology and quality in general do not lose to the developed countries of the west. In particular, in some cases of chronic disease, china has achieved good results by taking advantage of the unique advantages of the combination of chinese and western medicine. Chinese doctors are also in the first tier of treatment for some of the major suspected diseases, with some areas even leading globally. In recent years, the lancet has issued a global ranking of quality and accessibility of health care, with china at the top. At the same time, with the development of the application of artificial intelligence + health care, the quality of health care services in china as a whole is being significantly improved。
Health services are an expression of a comprehensive national effort. Over the years, we have been investing increasingly in health care. For example, in 2024, the total cost of health nationwide amounted to 6. 7 per cent of GDP. The share of government and social health expenditures was 72. 5 per cent and that of hygiene 27. 5 per cent. The country has implemented a priority health development strategy that upholds the public good of basic health care and establishes the world's largest health services, traditional medicine, disease prevention and control, and health care. In 2024, life expectancy in the country reached 79 years, and the main health indicators for the population were among the highest in high- and middle-income countries。
With good credibility and reputation, chinese medicine provides new medical options for patients around the world. As china's influence increases globally, more foreigners will be attracted to health care in the future. It has been argued that the arrival of foreigners in china is a “cheesy advantage” to squeeze medical resources from the chinese. Instead of panic and anxiety, we should be open and inclusive and promote higher levels of openness in the health sector。
At the moment, the limited number of foreigners in china seeking medical treatment is far from “inflow” and has not yet had an impact on our health system. China's health-care system is of a public interest and must give priority to meeting the needs of its population. The basic health care system, which mainly serves the population of the country, is aimed primarily at foreign patients, with internal and external differences and clear borders. In the case of foreigners coming to china for medical treatment, chinese medical benefits will not be affected as long as they are kept within the limits of access to basic medical resources。
Of course, we want to be proactive and early in the face of a massive “reverse medical surge” that may occur in the future. For example, the international health care system, which is dominated by the international medical department of public hospitals and quality social health offices, is being improved, chinese standards for the certification of international hospital evaluations are being promoted, a reasonable system of prices for external medical services is being established, international commercial health insurance is being expedited, and foreign patients are being facilitated to visit china. It is hoped that china will soon become a global “medical destination” where the world will feel the efficiency and temperature of chinese health care。
The logic behind the title: "looking through the sea for disease."
