Tianjin’s public health sector is getting set to improve services for foreigners in the city, with particular attention to meeting the needs of the foreign business community, said sources from the Tianjin Municipal Health Bureau.

Hospitals with the most advanced equipment and best medical staff in the city are planning to set up special outpatient services and inpatient wards, as well as expedited processing for foreigners going to the hospital. Emergency centers will acquire imported luxury ambulances to provide pre-hospitalization emergency treatment for foreigners. A coordinated outpatient processing system, including registration, fee payment and pharmacy service will help these patients to receive treatment quickly and efficiently. Examination rooms for special needs and family-style wards will be set up, and roll-call surgery and special nursing service will also be available for foreigners.

State-of-the-art medical equipment and top medical personnel will be available to foreign patients, with deputy chief physicians and above and highly experienced nurses assigned to serve them.

The hospitals will also increase transparency in the billing system. Medical fees for foreign businesspeople will be assessed at the same rate as for local residents.

(China.org.cn translated by Zhang Tingting May 10, 2004)