While most countries in the world recommend the same vaccines for kids, there tend to be differences in the schedule. Also, some vaccines are not included in routine immunization programs of countries/regions so expat parents are often faced with having to make a decision regarding their child’s immunization schedule when living abroad.

For me it was a no-brainer – we decided to follow the Chinese vaccination schedule since we’re not planning on moving anytime soon and we want our kids to be protected against diseases that are characteristic of this particular region.

Apart from the initial shots of HepB and BCG that babies in China are given at birth, my kids got all their jabs at our local community health center. Before I get to the documents we needed, here’s the summary of our situation: Both kids were born in Beijing to foreign parents, the only documents we own are our passports, kids had only Chinese birth certificates until the age of 6 months or so, never got any vaccine outside of China and my Chinese is very basic. All this considered, I found the registration process at our health center pretty painless.

Appointments are not required, however other expat parents have had different experiences so I guess it depends on the local health center, or sometimes even on the person you get to do the registration with. There’s a ticketing machine you should get a number from by scanning the code that they’ll stick to your kid’s vaccination record book. Now, with Noel (born 2021) they gave me this green book at the hospital, but with Noa (born 2018), I got it at the vaccination site. When you go there for the first time, just tell someone to get you a number. A guard did it for me, but even if you don’t speak Chinese just show the nurses the birth certificate and they’ll know what you’re there for. So here’s what we needed (both times):

1. Chinese birth certificate
2. Proof of vaccination from the hospital (HepB and BCG)
3. Maternal book (not sure if they actually needed it or just needed my info and couldn’t understand my Chinese)
4. Parent’s passport

After handing over the stuff, it took maybe ten minutes to get the code for the little green book, and then we just waited for our number to come up so we could enter the office. No questions asked. Maybe this was because I couldn’t (or they assumed I couldn’t) speak the language, but that was about it. All shots included in the routine immunization schedule have been free and my kids had no reactions to them. You can always opt for the optional vaccines, which include Pneumococcal, chicken pox, Hib, and the EV71 (enterovirus) vaccine. The first dose of Hib costs RMB 123 (in 2021) and the chicken pox vaccine RMB 200. Every time the child gets his/her shot, they schedule you for the next and write down the date in the green book, so you’ll be good off even without any Chinese.

For David Hermanutz, a Canadian dad living in Beijing with his Chinese wife and two children, the process has been pretty easy and simple as well: “My kids have only a Chinese travel ID and no hukou due to family matters. We had the needles at the BDA Yizhuang vaccination clinic with no problems. Shots were free.” However, David’s family is facing another issue: “Currently the kids get PCR tested, but the travel book ID does not appear on my wife’s domestic PCR history. We cannot see their PCR results as they are using their mom’s telephone number and have no ID. Welcome to international marriage.”

Hannah Lee, a Polish mom of a 5-year-old girl, shares her experience: “My baby got all, except the first three vaccines, at the community center. Great and cheap experience if your Chinese is good or you have a Chinese spouse. Nobody speaks English there, so Chinese is a must. All shots were free of charge.” Hannah’s daughter has both Chinese and Polish citizenship, and as for the paperwork they needed to get their child registered, all they needed to provide was the foreign vaccination book, baby’s hukou, mom’s passport, and dad’s ID card. Official translation of vaccines received abroad was not necessary: “My husband translated on site, but it’s not supposed to happen like this. Basically, they just trusted our words. It was an exception, I guess.”

For S Kali, a South African mom of a 5-year-old girl, things got a bit complicated at the beginning: “My daughter was born in South Africa, and the first seven months of her life she lived there. Initially, when we got here, we went to AmCare. They translated all the vaccines that she had got back home and gave me the green vaccination book. She even got two of her vaccines there.”

S Kali was friends with an AmCare nurse who offered to help her get her child registered at a local health center because she was initially denied: “When I went by myself they told me that they can’t register a foreign child (due to me not having her vaccines translated into Chinese, but I didn’t realize that at the time). Now I just go to the clinic, hand the green book, sign what needs to be signed and that’s it. All shots have been free.”

Even though we all know that things can get very complicated very fast, and that these local clinics may have different policies, many parents have said that the registration process for vaccination is simple and smooth and kids have had no side effects. So, if you’re comfortable with not understanding every word that’s being said (unless you’re a fluent Chinese speaker or have a Chinese-speaking spouse/friend), don’t mind waiting in line for a while and don’t need all the extravaganza and crystal chandeliers of private hospitals, then local community health centers seem to be a perfectly safe option that can even save you a good few thousand RMB in the long run.

Images: Sanja Stojkov

It’s that time of year again, Single’s Day or 11/11, also known as the world’s largest single-day shopping spree, beating Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Just last year, the estimated amount of money spent in the 24-hour 11/11 span stood at a shocking $30 billion! Having lived in China and experiencing the ease and speed of online shopping, I see why 11/11 is a multi-billion dollar shopping holiday.

But beyond moving things from your wish-list to your purchased list, 11/11 can be a great day to scope out deals in all sorts of areas. Chances are if it has a price tag, it most likely has a discount on 11/11. This also includes medical services. After this year’s COVID-19 continued health scare, it might be time to use the amazing deals made available by some of Beijing’s best international hospitals.

Brighter Smiles with Raffles Medical Center

This state of the art facility is offering great single and group packages for everything from the all-important well-baby check-up, to a package teeth-bleaching deal, and even a child dental cleaning package. So if you are looking to brighten that smile ahead of the festive season, or even get your Shingrix vaccination up to date, take advantage of these deals at Raffles Medical Center.

The Entire Female Care Package at Oasis Hospital

The word self-care has become such a buzz word lately, but beyond remembering to drink plenty of water, sleeping eight hours a day, and getting yourself a good moisturizer, we tend not to employ the implied medical prevention aspect of ‘self-care’. Not to fear because Oasis Hospital has you taken care of this singles holiday with multiple deals for women to reassure you and give you much needed peace of mind as you go into the festive season.

Beijing United Hospital Has The Entire Family Covered

With multiple packages to choose from, Beijing United Hospital has multiple services for different members of your family, even those yet to be born! With everything from early pregnancy check-up packages, child health assessment packages, pediatric ophthalmic assessment packages to laser hair removal services, Beijing United Hospital can be a great one-stop for all of your health needs this Singles Day!

KEEP READING: Using TCM to Give Your Body the TLC it Needs This Winter

Photos: Courtesy of Hospitals, Unsplash 

China continues to attract a large number of foreigners yearly. It has proven itself on the world stage as a formidable trading partner and has continued to extend its reach across the world through numerous influential bilateral agreements. The education sector alone sees hundreds of thousands of foreigners from across the globe join the Chinese workforce and burgeoning economy. But this is only one of the many reasons why foreign families choose to settle in China. China still holds a mystic charm to the West. It is still an ancient culture steeped in mysterious customs and traditions. And at its heart sits Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which in and of itself continues to hold the world’s fascination as nations around the world try to grapple with the burdens of providing healthcare for ever-growing populations.

However, many of us who now call China home are yet to dip our toe in the TCM pool. We might have dabbled in spicy hotpots and attended Beijing Opera (jing ju), but why are so many foreigners reluctant to give TCM a try? And in a post-COVID-19 world, is it realistic to turn to TCM to provide the answers that Western medicine can as yet not provide?

Acupuncture to help relieve your headaches?

The most widely known form of TCM treatment is acupuncture, which has become part and parcel of Western medical healthcare practices. But few understand how this quite works. Acupuncture relies on TCM’s theory of Qi, which is considered a vital energy that flows along meridians to promote health in the body. Acupuncture needles pierce the skin along any of the hundreds of meridian points in an attempt to redirect qi to encourage normal body function. This can be used in conjunction with herbal remedies to rebalance the forces of yin and yang within the body.

Many Western medicine practitioners still regard TCM with suspicion, despite the World Health Organization’s decision to officially recognize TCM in its global compendium in the mid-2000s. This is because Western medicine relies on controlled clinical trials and statistics to determine how various forms of treatment work for patients.

TCM takes an entirely different tact. It is believed that causes of illness in the body are as unique as the individual, and as such, making a general conclusion on treatment is virtually impossible. Each treatment is tailor-made to meet the needs of the patient, as opposed to a broad cure-all staple of drugs.

Many Western medicine practitioners still regard TCM with suspicion

Dr. Shelley Ochs, a Beijing-based TCM practitioner delves further into who is best suited to TCM treatments. “Chinese medicine is best suited for things that are functional and the way that works from a biomedical point of view is becoming clearer,” offers Ochs.

The efficacy of TCM as a treatment for ailments ranging from chronic pain to infertility has been questioned by mainstream medical experts, but there seems to be new evidence of just how the treatment works.

As Ochs explains, “Now we have FMRI’s where you can see what is happening in the brain in real-time. There are more and more studies that come out about the mechanism of action that shows that if you put a needle in the foot or above the ankle, and we know from traditional knowledge, from the classics, that it affects the eyes. And sure enough, the visual cortex lights up. But it begs the question of how the signal gets there.”

Ochs first fell in love with TCM when she was backpacking as a youth through Asia, and relied on its remedies to bounce back from chronic allergies. Twenty years later, she continues to profess the efficacy of the treatment as a legitimate alternative to otherwise harmful conventional medicines such as antibiotics. Ochs is well supported by evidence such as the compound, artemisinin, which was first isolated by Youyou Tu at the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing and is currently being used as a powerful treatment against Malaria. It even won Tu the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine.

“In clinical practice, people can come in and be very cynical and it still works,” says Ochs. “You don’t have to believe in it. But medicine is also about relationships. The trends in Western medicine is to recognize all those components like how we communicate with people and even being positive. If expectation effects, which are part of a placebo effect, if they are real, then why not amplify it, as long as you are not lying to people.”

She goes on to explain that, “You come in and someone listens to you. You are in a quiet room by yourself, with some nice music. You lie on a table for 30 minutes and that is therapeutic.”

This might be because, even though Ochs might seemingly work at cross purposes with a conventional medical doctor, they might both be treating the same thing. Put simply, Western medicine treats the Yin, or everything physical, and TCM strives to treat the Yang, the energy in the body. Western medicine is great for trauma care and treating acute problems, while Chinese medicine works to treat chronic problems and as a preventative therapy option.

Depending on what your needs, it seems possible to have your cake and eat it too as far as Western medicine versus TCM goes. It might be time to set aside your reservations the next time you get a case of the sniffles and see whether TCM might have something for you, as it did for Ochs.

KEEP READING: Health and Safety: Medical insurance – Why You Need It, and How to Get It

Photos: Unsplash

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 May issue

Whether it’s grocery stores, schools, banks, or restaurants, it’s tough to keep track of who’s open, which locations, and their current operating hours. Add to that list hospitals, the most vital cog in our city’s operations, and you’ve got a perfect storm for, if not a physical pandemic, then certainly a mental one.

As it happens, over the last few weeks, the government has required some hospitals to make certain upgrades to their fever clinics, which resulted in facilities shutting down for a day or two while they implemented the necessary changes.

Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) was one such hospital, and their fever clinic was thus closed from Jan 27 to Jan 30. Ultimately however, these upgrades were necessary to ensure improved patient identification and screening.

While their fever clinic was temporarily closed, all other services at BJU remained, and continue to remain, open. This includes ER, OB inpatient/outpatient, GP inpatient/outpatient, as well as ENT and eye clinics.

Unfortunately, without knowing the whole story, news that clinics were closed spread fast, and it’s been somewhat tough for folks to ascertain the current operating status of the city’s medical facilities.

Moreover, starting today, BJU has opened a free advice hotline for people, whether you’re part of the BJU network or not, to call in and speak with a Family Health physician regarding any health-related questions.

You can reach the BJU hotline at 010-5927 7053.

BJU’s main campus is located at 2 Jiangtai Road, Chaoyang District (北京和睦家医院中国北京朝阳区将台路2号)

For more information, and to find a BJU location near you, click here.

Photos: courtesy of BJU

After being encouraged by a positive testimonial by an acquaintance, Charlotte Goldenblatt, née York, sits patiently in a clinic waiting area. This is not your average clinic however. It is a fertility clinic, tied to famed doctor Mao, and as the chatty women also in the small confined space croon, he is a miracle worker. With a mixture of smelly herbs and acupuncture, “He could even get a cactus pregnant.”

Cut to Charlotte, now disrobed and on an examination table, with what looks like a thousand pins in her face, while a stoic Dr. Mao encourages her to “Block out that New York noise and concentrate on your breathing.” This is Charlotte’s long journey to possible conception and my first insight into Chinese medicine.

If you still haven’t figured it out, Charlotte is a character from arguably one of the most popular TV shows in America in the 90’s and early 00’s – Sex and The City. It came up in a discussion I had with Doctor Shelley Ochs, an American practitioner of Chinese medicine. Despite my deriving some enjoyment and gaining a curiosity about Chinese medicine from the aforementioned scene, Ochs isn’t too happy about the depiction. Like most things done for TV land, the scene itself is rife with inaccuracies, starting with the placement of the acupuncture needles to how it is purported to have worked on Charlotte’s problem of infertility.

Dr. Shelley Ochs performing an examination

This is because Ochs is an acupuncturist, initially trained in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, she came to Beijing twelve years ago to pursue further studies in the field, going beyond just the mere technicalities of the science, but also learning more about the philosophy behind acupuncture. It was a long journey which ultimately led Ochs to her present passion. As a young backpacker in Taiwan, she would fall ill often, an unfortunate effect of bad air on her then unaccustomed lungs. After several attempts at seeking conventional treatment, a friend encouraged her to try Chinese medicine, at which point she consulted an herbalist with great results. After having witnessed the efficacy of the herbs that even antibiotics couldn’t accomplish, Ochs was entirely sold on Chinese medicine, deciding then to make the herbalist her primary care provider.

More and more, people the world over are turning to alternative or and indigenous healthcare options. Along with this rise, has come a deeper understanding of how these different systems work. Chinese medicine in particular has always been shrouded in a cloud of mystery, being relegated to the fringes of western healthcare practices, or approached with great caution or mysticism. Ochs herself admits to this shroud of mystery adding, “Chinese medicine is best suited for things that are functional and the way that works from a bio-medical point of view is becoming clearer. Now we have FMRI’s where you can see what is happening in the brain in real time. There are more and more studies that come out about the mechanism of action that show that if you put a needle in the foot or above the ankle, and we know from traditional knowledge – from the classics – that it affects the eyes. And sure enough, the visual cortex lights up. But it begs the question how the signal gets there.”

Scientists are constantly trying to answer such questions, positing the latest theory of it being an action on the connective tissue. Ultrasound has been used in places like the University of Vermont to show how the connective tissue maps to the classical channels by up to 70 or 80 percent. Simply put, by placing a needle through the three layers of skin, you inevitably contact connective tissue that exists in ‘trains’, affecting interstitial fluid, which in turn affects the central nervous system.

Even though the scientific mechanisms behind the efficacy of acupuncture are becoming less and less of a mystery, the prevailing perception is one of skepticism. Rarely do those who grew up in more Western medicine-oriented backgrounds turn to Chinese medicine, especially acupuncture, as a main form of treatment. At best, it is considered a quaint distraction and at worst, it is an ineffective form of treatment with nothing but a placebo effect to show for itself. To this, Ochs has a response.

“In clinical practice, people can come in and be very cynical and it still works. You don’t have to believe in it. But medicine is also about relationships. The trends in Western medicine is to recognize all those components like how we communicate with people and even being positive. If expectation affects, which are part of a placebo effect, if they are real, then why not amplify it, as long as you are not lying to people. You come in and someone listens to you. You are in a quiet room by yourself, with some nice music. You lie on a table for 30 minutes and that is therapeutic.”

So as it turns out, Charlotte being left in a room with her thoughts was not quite as misleading as I had imaginaed.

As Ochs demonstrates how to take the pulse and perform an analysis, I couldn’t help but wonder who it was that would get this kind of treatment. I hardly think a patient who’s recently suffered a massive brain aneurysm would be a good candidate for the treatment. Be that as it may, Ochs still sees a wide range of patients, though her Beijing-based patients are markedly different from her patients back in Louisville. “Back in Louisville I saw everything. People would come in with rare conditions that maybe only one in a million people have, and the treatment would be their last resort. I would also see patients recovering from cancer.”

Ochs also explained that she sees a large number of patients seeking treatment for stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression, all conditions that respond well to acupuncture. “Acupuncture works very well for that. Why? Because it works on the mind, body and spirit. You’re stimulating or affecting these channels, but when you open these channels then all of the functions of the organism work better,” Ochs offers.

Also included in the roster of patients Ochs sees on a regular basis, are women with fertility issues, painful or irregular periods, peri-menopause and menopause, and also patients suffering from chronic pain, rhinitis, those with low immunity and as she puts it, “poor functioning of every system.”

Ochs has also found that acupuncture works well for patients diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. “They are going through a crisis or the medication isn’t working as it should. There is a flair-up. Or they have a therapist but they don’t want to go on medication but they need some intervention.” As far as efficacy goes, patients are able to feel a change as soon as they get off the table. Each condition requires different durations of treatments, with it going from visits to treatment cycles, with some being done in conjunction with herbs to better target the problem. ‘You’re trying to give the body new information. You want it to shift from this dysfunctional pattern to a functional one. You give it this intervention and then it should be able to hold this pattern on its own”, Ochs explains. She estimates that after four to six treatments, a patient should be able to feel or see a difference, though this is dependent upon how long the condition has been in the body. And after patients achieve resolution, they might also go into the clinic for tune-ups.

With a new generation of parents who are increasingly cautious of what their children are exposed to in terms of medicine, there is a constant drive for alternatives to otherwise harmful treatments. Acupuncture can also be performed on children. According to the classics, once a child is above the age of six, their channels are similar to those of an adult and thus can benefit from this form of treatment. One particular treatment, however, stood out to me as the most fascinating – attempting to induce labor in pregnant women.

According to Ochs, during pregnancy, there are certain points that are forbidden when it comes to acupuncture as using them might induce labor. In countries like Germany, it is common practice for midwives to incorporate acupuncture in women’s birthing plans, as studies have shown its efficacy in shortening labor and ensuring that it goes much smoother. “You’re helping the chi move down, but you’re also getting the liver, kidney and spleen channels open and ready for birth. A patient might come in at week 39 or week 40 of pregnancy, and they are nervous that they might be induced. You use points in the lower back, pushing on the sacrum, massage, do needles, and the ‘He gu’ point in the hand which is a point for inducing labor.” The science behind this technique is unclear but it proves effective for its purpose.

It is tempting to think of this form of treatment as a sort of cure-all for illnesses and conditions that haven’t quite been mastered by Western medicine. Coupled with its affordability and availability in a city like Beijing, it is also a more convenient, safer, and less invasive procedure as compared to conventional Western forms of treatment. Hopefully, should you decide to try it, or even give it a second chance after a previously unsuccessful attempt, you will be in the caring and able hands of a practitioner like Ochs.

Photos: Groupon, Shelley Ochs 

Ten years before Facebook started, and well before WeChat, the International Newcomers’ Network (INN) formed in Beijing 23 years ago in 1994. Originally, the group was founded by a group of expatriates who saw great value in sharing knowledge and tips about living in Beijing. The city was a far different environment back then and discovering other expats or imported goods was an arduous task. Finding international hospitals, paying for utilities, and using public transport were difficult challenges, as services were not geared towards foreigners. After founding the organization expat life in Beijing became manageable for its members.

By pooling resources and sharing information and advice, life in a new, exciting, and challenging city became more fun with the best possible outcome of many deep friendships forged. Now, two decades later, INN is still going strong and has evolved over time by broadening its scope of events and interests. The organization’s diversity keeps growing with many husbands and fathers now very active members and enjoying this time-honored club as well.

Living in the capital in 2016 is far more convenient than it was back then, but there are still numerous challenges especially for newcomers who don’t speak Mandarin or understand doing things the local way. INN offers itself as a support network for expats who want to meet new friends and get involved in a community based organization.

Every month, there are multiple events around the city and all foreign passport holders are welcome to join (only foreign nationals permitted to attend the general monthly gathering due to government regulations). The sustainability of the organization hinges on the goodwill of the wonderful volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to assist new and veteran residents to maximize their benefit of living in the capital. As a result, INN’s events and activities always have a friendly and family feel. INN has no commercial sponsors so everything done is purely for the love of helping other expats.

The INN organizing family has an open door policy and is always looking for people to get involved whether as a volunteer board member, helping to organize and host events, and especially attending and supporting get togethers. For example, Arrival Survival is INN’s annual guide on how to thrive and survive in Beijing and is also the biggest event of the year. Additionally, every month INN holds general gatherings at the Capital Club Athletic Center inside the Capital Mansion compound on Xinyuan Nanlu, near Liangmaqiao. Many attend monthly gatherings, where new and existing members come together as well as a host of INN approved vendors and charities, which support the expat community.

Spring bazaar

Arrival Survival
August’s event is always reserved for “Arrival Survival” as many new families relocate to Beijing just in time for the new school year. This year is no different and as every year goes by INN moves in time with the city and offers attendees advice on how to enjoy or cope with life in Beijing.

This year there will be six speakers at the event offering advice on how to live a happy life in Beijing. They draw from their personal experiences and professional backgrounds to offer much needed advice.

INN’s new President, Juli Bradley, who is from the USA, will host the event. With INN under her leadership, we can expect to see the organization continue its high level of support for expats and continue to grow in size as more and more foreign nationals move to China. Other speakers include Averil Harrison-Thuemmel, a member of the INN steering committee and who organizes the monthly Trekkies group, which takes people on tours around some of the lesser-known and more interesting areas in Beijing.

Following Harrison-Thuemmel’s talk will be a chat on how to conquer the Beijing transport network. Then Carnissa Berry, who is a life coach with a great reputation, will talk you through some coping strategies if you are finding the transition and navigating Chinese culture to be sometimes trying. Sherpa’s, a name you will become very familiar with, will introduce how to use their mobile app and get your favorite foods delivered to your apartment. Next will be Kenny, from Fun Guide, who will guide you through how to use his new Beijing based expat APP that includes some of the best places and events to go to. And finally, Beijing United Family Hospital will host a brief talk on staying healthy and medical care for expats.

INN Group Activities
If you are new to the city or have been here for many years, you want to get involved with other expats, meet new friends or just hang out and have some fun while enjoying great food, wine, cocktails or beer, then INN is the right group for you.

• INN General Gathering – Once a month everyone meets up over a coffee and pastries to learn about ways to enjoy life in Beijing and gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture with our guest speakers.
• Coffee Mornings – The clue is in the name! There are two meeting ups once a month in down town and Shunyi. The next Coffee Morning is at British School of Beijing, Shunyi on August 25.
• Lunch Bunch – Each month the Lunch Bunch visits a new and exciting restaurant around town.
• Trekkies – A monthly tour of a Beijing hidden gem. The next Trekkie will be a tour of some of Beijing’s various food markets on September 1.
• Beer Night – Aimed at getting more men involved, the next Beer Night is on Thursday 18th August at Jing A, everyone is welcome to join. INN also has various other nights out, social gatherings and, an annual fall social which is one of the most highly anticipated and fun events of the year!

For more information, visit INN’s website where you will find details of all of INN events, INN’s supported charities, and our monthly newsletter. If you wish to receive the INN monthly newsletter please send an email to: contactus@innbeijing.com

Photos: Courtesy of INN

One of the top priorities for families arriving in Beijing is figuring out where to get medical treatment, as our children’s health is of paramount importance.  Over recent years, the number of international standard hospitals and clinics has been on the increase, but the options are still rather slim compared to other major capitals around the world.

Going to an international-grade facility is costly, as registration and consultation fees alone can amount to over RMB 2,000 depending on the doctor you wish to see. Having healthcare insurance will ease the burden paying out of pocket (see our article on health insurance, p30).

Most uninsured expats use local public hospitals, many of which have excellent reputations in their fields. They are much cheaper compared to private hospitals and see a higher number of patients, but the language barrier can be an issue. In addition, they can be a rude awakening for expats who go in expecting a western-style bedside manner and privacy standards.

Clinics
Clinics provide routine services such as checkups, pediatric medicine, and outpatient care. They may also offer dentistry, mental health services, physical rehabilitation, official physical examinations (for visas or other purposes), and vaccinations. In most cases, anything relating to obstetrics and pre-natal care require a visit to a hospital with more specialized medical staff and facilities. Although some clinics offer emergency care, patients may need to be transferred to a hospital depending on the seriousness of the case.
Medical practitioners here are usually tied to a hospital or clinic and don’t have standalone private practices like their western counterparts. Part-time specialists who keep regular office hours at a private clinic often also work at a public hospital.

Hospitals
International hospitals are either wholly foreign-owned enterprises (WFOE) or a joint venture between an international medical operator and a Chinese hospital. Foreign patients will find the process and surroundings familiar and therefore comforting, but bear in mind that the attending doctor will likely still be Chinese – although English-speaking – and that not every international-standard hospital is equipped to handle all scenarios. For example, patients requiring major surgery – particularly emergency surgery – may need to be transferred to a Chinese hospital, both for the operations themselves and for continuing post-surgery treatment.

These cautions aside, international hospitals offer extras such as reminders for checkups and some have more than one location, making them convenient for your home, office, or school. There will also be a greater emphasis on preventative care.

If language isn’t an issue and/or you don’t have medical insurance, you might try visiting a local hospital. Expats often recommend Peking Union Medical College Hospital (founded in 1921) and the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, which served as the primary hospital for athletes, coaches, and officials of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Both have “VIP” sections with fewer patients and some English-speaking doctors.

Emergencies
The emergency phone number in Beijing is 120 (999 for English speakers). Keep in mind that ambulances in Beijing have a mixed record for two reasons: (a) getting lost and (b) being perfunctory in their treatment of non-emergency patients. Also, Beijing’s traffic situation isn’t exactly conducive to the quick transfer of patients to medical facilities, and drivers here aren’t yet in the habit of yielding immediately to ambulances.

There’s no simple solution for this. Many taxis will simply refuse to take injured or sick passengers for fear of being held liable for any negative outcomes. Some international hospitals have their own 24-hour emergency call centers with English- and Chinese-speaking operators. However, ambulances are still subject to traffic constraints.

To make matters even more complicated, there’s no Good Samaritan law in China. This may explain why many Chinese are unwilling to get involved in emergency situations. Bystanders who offer help may be held liable even if their actions help resuscitate the injured party. A patient who is given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may survive, but non-qualified rescuers have been sued for the broken ribs that can occur in the process.

When in doubt, call 120 and report the emergency. However, consider carefully whether there’s a good reason to become directly involved in a situation.
That said, for the sake of one’s own family, friends, and colleagues, most international hospitals and clinics in Beijing offer internationally-recognized CPR and first aid training in English. It’s a good idea to take a course, especially for people who live farther away from a major medical center.

Photo: NEC Corporation of America (Flickr)

This article originally appeared on page 26 of the 2016 Home and Relocation Guide. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

The communities of Shuangjing and Wudaokou are soon to have a new choice for international-standard healthcare as Beijing United Family will be opening clinics there in early April.

The Shuangjing location is located on Guangqu Lu, just east of the Shuangjing Line 10 subway station. The Wudaokou clinic will open at Tsinghua Tongfang Hi-Tech Plaza near the Beijing Language and Culture University.

The Shuangjing facility will offer a variety of services like family medicine, preventative care (including men’s health, women’s health, travel medicine, and immunizations), gynecology and pediatrics departments, internal medicine, outpatient surgery consultations, a psychological health department (for consultations, assessments, and treatments), Traditional Chinese Medicine services, a pharmacy, a laboratory, and ultrasound.

The Wudaokou location will offer the same, along with an added radiology service.

Both clinics will be fully open by early April. The roster of doctors working at these new clinics is also still being finalized.

For more information on the locations and services of these clinics, visit United Family Healthcare’s main website here or call 4008-919191 for updates.

Shuangjing

2nd Floor, Handu International Building, 39 Guangqu Street, Chaoyang District (朝阳区广渠路39号汉督国际2层)

Wudaokou

1st Floor, Building D, Tsinghua Tongfang Hi-Tech Plaza, 1 Wangzhuang Lu, Haidian District (海淀区王庄路1号清华同方科技广场D座1层)

 Images courtesy of BJU