There’s few things scarier than having a medical emergency in a foreign country. But what if it happens outside of regular working hours when most of the city has already turned off their lights? That’s why we thought it prudent to share with concerned parents this list of 24-hour emergency phone numbers of hospitals that specialise in treating children. The list was originally put out in Chinese by 树图星球 (Shù tú xīngqiú) and has been translated into English for your convenience.

This list has been considerately segmented into various types of emergencies ranging from fever to broken bones; injuries that require stitches; burns and scalds, as well as ear, nose, throat infections. It is always recommended to call ahead to ensure that the medical staff at the hospital is ready to receive you.

In the original post, there were some notes included at the bottom that we have also translated for your reference:

– Pediatric resources are very scarce, and pediatric clinics in some hospitals are restricted or pediatric emergencies are suspended.
– Under epidemic conditions, it has become very difficult for children under the age of 14 to see a doctor when they have a fever.
– Both the international community and the China-Japanese friendship do not receive infants and young children Under the age of 14 in emergency cases of trauma injury.
– Compared with the public hospitals, private hospitals can deal with the disease in time to reduce cross-infection as soon as possible.
– Some private hospitals can invite experts to fly for consultation at additional cost. It is true that you can buy resources with money.
– Private medical insurance coverage can assist in getting medical appointments in a timely manner.

While we hope you’ll never have to use these numbers, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. So keep these numbers handy just in case of an emergency!

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Images: Pexels, Jingkids

It is the one greatest fear of any parent – that your child’s health and very life are in danger. An expat mother, who wishes to keep her family’s identity private, is urgently asking for your help in raising funds to treat her 1.5-year-old son, who was diagnosed with viral encephalitis on Wednesday, Oct 27.

The child, nicknamed Little A, had been suffering from seizures for some time and was admitted into an international hospital for testing to determine the cause. He was given a lumbar puncture test, in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to draw a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. Unfortunately, that sample gave strong evidence for the diagnosis of viral encephalitis. Viral encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that leads to swelling of brain tissue, and the worst potential complication is permanent brain damage.

Little A’s mother remembers him as “such a smiley boy who could still giggle and find joy when he was sick in the hospital.” She just wants him to recover and go back to being healthy and happy. He had celebrated his first birthday six months ago, and his potential for life was just beginning when this sickness hit, now threatening the sanctity of his future.

The lumbar puncture test alone cost RMB 15,000, and the bills are piling up quickly. The medical fees for Little A’s treatment are currently estimated to be RMB 200,000. Within the first few hours of this tragic news reaching our phones, an incredible outpouring of support helped to raise over RMB 60,000. But more is still needed, so if you are able and willing to donate, please scan the QR code below. There is also a WeChat group that has been formed to provide updates on Little A’s situation, which you can ask to join.

In China, the incidence of Japanese encephalitis, which is spread most commonly through viruses carried by mosquitoes, is higher than any other mosquito-borne disease. There are approximately 33,900 cases of JEV every year, with most of them occurring in rural areas surrounded by irrigation farming. On the other hand, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has been shown to be endemic in northern and western China, including the mountainous areas of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang.

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Images courtesy of the organizers

No-one really likes to think about emergencies when they don’t have to, but there is one situation where being well-prepared can save your life. You can prepare yourself for medical emergencies in a number of ways, and primary among them is knowing the name and location of a reputable emergency room, especially if you’re living in a country where you don’t speak the local language.

Raffles Medical’s emergency department is equipped with comfortable treatment and consultation rooms

A well-established name in the international healthcare community, Raffles Medical launched 24-hour emergency services at its Beijing clinic on Oct 5, 2020. The clinic is staffed by English-speaking certified emergency room doctors with decades of clinical experience, as well as an extensive support staff of nurses and technicians. Many of the emergency doctors worked under International SOS, a global leader in emergency medicine and medical evacuation, for many years. The staff also undergo twice-monthly training sessions and drills to ensure that they stay on top of the latest emergency procedures.

Emergency medicine and family medicine doctor Bill Zhang

In addition to comfortable consultation rooms, the clinic itself is equipped to deal with a wide range of medical emergencies, including internal medicine, surgical, gynecological, and pediatric emergencies. This is supported by an international pharmacy, a laboratory, an ultrasound and radiology department, and other essential facilities and equipment.  

Raffles Medical has the latest equipment, including a newly-installed CT scan machine that will be put into use soon

As emergency medicine doctor Sonia Jutard-Bourreau explains, the first priority in an emergency situation is triage, i.e., establishing how urgent a patient’s condition is. “Any patient who comes to an emergency room by nature feels their condition is extremely urgent. In some cases, such as a cardiac arrest, it is immediately apparent what the problem is, while in other cases, it is less clear. Either way, it is our duty to work with them and find out what their care needs are,” she explains. Once a patient has been assessed, treatment can begin, including arranging for further care at a local hospital, if necessary. The Raffles Medical team has a strong network of connections with some of Beijing’s top specialists and surgeons, and will also help with the communication process, so patients can rest assured that they are getting quality care. 

Emergency medicine and family medicine doctor Sonia Jutard-Bourreau

Part of providing effective emergency treatment is putting the patient and their loved ones at ease, as emergency room patients can suffer lasting psychological trauma from their experiences in addition to any physical conditions. The boutique size of Raffles Medical’s emergency services department goes a long way to helping with that feeling, avoiding the clamor and confusion of some larger, public hospitals. However, for Dr. Jutard-Bourreau, what really sets Raffles apart is the clinic’s strong history as a family medicine practice. “One thing I have noticed in my time here [at Raffles Medical]is that our doctors always say ‘my patient,’ not ‘a patient’,” she says, adding, “Patients usually refer to us by our first names as well.”  The clinic’s strong connections with the local community give the doctors an extra level of insight into their patients’ needs in emergency situations, although first-time patients can, of course, expect the same level of care.

One of the larger observation rooms on Raffles Medical’s newly-refurbished third floor

For an extra level of comfort, if you need to stay in the emergency department for more than a few hours, the Raffles team will move you to one of the comfortable observation rooms on the newly-refurbished third floor. With their muted grey and blonde wood color scheme and ensuite bathrooms, the rooms are fully equipped to provide a high-quality standard medical care in an environment with a level of comfort similar to a hotel. There are also rooms equipped with parent-child facilities.

Raffles Medical also has child-friendly facilities

There are plenty of other ways you can be prepared in the event of an emergency. In addition to knowing the details of your nearest or preferred emergency room, Dr. Jutard-Bourreau recommends preparing an information pack including a copy of your passport, a copy of your medical insurance card, details of any medical conditions including drug allergies, and emergency contact numbers, and carrying it with you at all times (or giving one to your children). 

With winter on the way, it also pays to be on the lookout for the symptoms of common seasonal conditions. Beijing’s cold, dry air and occasional pollution can exacerbate respiratory system conditions like asthma and sinusitis. This year, more than ever, we all need to be aware of and monitor for any flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, coughing, and fever, and Dr. Jutard-Bourreau recommends that everyone get a flu vaccination. You should always follow Beijing local guidelines with regards to flu-like symptoms before visiting any emergency department, but Raffles Medical can offer teleconsultations to help you eliminate alternative diagnoses remotely.

Time is of the essence in emergency situations, and quick thinking and appropriate action by emergency physicians saves lives. But for patients themselves, comfortable surroundings and a personal touch also make all the difference. You can expect both at Raffles Medical’s emergency room.

Raffles Medical Beijing 
Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District (6462 9112)
北京莱佛士诊所：朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室

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Photos: Uni You

This article originally appeared on our sister site the Beijinger