A foreign blogger suffered from stomach pain and traveled across the ocean to China for medical treatment due to low efficiency in seeking medical treatment in his home country. Recently, a similar video that went viral on social media has sparked discussions about foreigners flocking to China for medical treatment. Are more and more foreigners experiencing 'medicine in China'? Why do they prioritize distance over proximity? What impact does this have on the medical treatment of Chinese residents? Regarding public concerns, reporters from Xinhua Viewpoint interviewed relevant departments and experts. The number of people is increasing, but the proportion is still very small. "My nose is no longer blocked, it's much more comfortable! ”Recently, at the "National Therapy Open Day" event at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 68 year old Canadian Franco Caputo experienced traditional Chinese medicine ear acupuncture treatment. In 2023, Franco was cured of intestinal polyps, gastroesophageal reflux, and Helicobacter pylori infection at the International Medical Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Afterwards, he came to China for medical treatment every year. He said that although there are family doctors in Canada, the waiting time is long and may not necessarily cure the condition. The story of longing for early treatment of stomach problems, hoping to get an MRI faster, and traveling thousands of miles to China for medical treatment has been frequently seen on the internet recently. Do foreigners flock to China for medical treatment? Several hospital officials told reporters that based on the diagnosis and treatment situation in our hospital, the number of foreign patients currently accounts for a relatively small proportion of the total number of patients in the hospital, but is showing an increasing trend; With the continuous expansion of China's visa free "circle of friends", the number of foreign patients seeking emergency treatment during travel has also increased. Compared with previous years, the number of foreign patients in our International Medical Department has increased, especially after 2024, with a significant increase. ”Tian Zhuang, Director of the International Medical Department (Dongdan Campus) of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said. The person in charge of the International Medical Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University introduced that although the overall number of foreign patients in the hospital is relatively small, it is growing rapidly. Patients mainly come from countries such as Russia, Singapore, the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa. Hao Siguo, the head of the Hematology Department at Xinhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, introduced that since a new drug for treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma was approved by the National Medical Products Administration in 2024, the mainland has attracted 11 patients from abroad or Hong Kong and Macao to seek medical treatment, with 4 cases in 2024 and 7 cases in 2025. The "2024 China International Medical Service Industry Development Report" released by the International Medical Service Committee of the China Hospital Association shows that according to incomplete statistics, there are 850 medical institutions in 57 cities within China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) providing international medical services. Some fields have advantages and increasing attractiveness. According to journalist research, among foreigners seeking medical treatment in China, there are those who have been working in China for a long time, those who come specifically for medical treatment, and those who specialize in experiencing traditional Chinese medicine projects. Industry insiders believe that an important reason for the increasing number of foreigners coming to China for medical treatment is that China's medical services have unique advantages in some fields. The relevant person in charge of the Medical Department of the National Health Commission said that China has richer clinical experience and leading technical operation level in some specialized medical fields; The cost of advanced treatment technologies and drugs such as proton therapy and targeted drugs is lower than that of developed countries. A Middle Eastern patient, recommended by an American doctor, chose to seek treatment at a hospital in China; The parents of a Polish child, after searching international databases, learned about the advantages of cardiothoracic surgery at a hospital in Shanghai and decided to come for treatment... The reporter learned through interviews that difficult and complicated diseases such as tumors, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases are becoming the demand direction for some patients coming to China. In addition, with the increasing recognition of traditional Chinese medicine internationally, treatment techniques such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage, as well as some characteristic Chinese medicines, have been welcomed by foreign patients. Wu Qunli, director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said for example that some patients with metabolic syndrome who have numbness, pain, sweating, insomnia and other symptoms will seek Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion and other treatments after traveling in China because they understand that traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "holistic view" and "syndrome differentiation and treatment". Liu Xinyan, Director of the International Medical Department of Guang'anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, introduced that at Guang'anmen Hospital, the most popular medical services for foreign patients are concentrated in the fields of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine metabolic diseases, rheumatism and immunology; In Suifenhe, Heilongjiang, Russians like to come here to see traditional Chinese medicine and treat neck and waist pain; At Sanya Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Hainan, foreigners are enthusiastic about participating in traditional Chinese medicine health tourism projects and undergoing health treatment. It is reported that Beijing has released two batches of 40 international medical tourism service packages for traditional Chinese medicine, providing foreign nationals with clear treatment plans, predictable therapeutic effects, and estimated treatment time for traditional Chinese medicine services. Steady development and achieving a win-win situation both domestically and internationally. With the continuous deepening of China's opening up to the outside world, "eating in China", "traveling in China", and "medicine in China" are increasingly attracting foreign friends. However, some people are also concerned that foreigners coming to China for medical treatment may encroach on the medical resources of domestic patients? According to relevant national policies, public hospitals providing international medical services should be carried out on the basis of ensuring basic medical services. The Guiding Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on the Pilot Comprehensive Reform of Urban Public Hospitals require that the scale of special needs services provided by public hospitals be controlled, and the proportion of special needs services provided shall not exceed 10% of all medical services. Experts from multiple hospitals told reporters that doctors will ensure to conduct international medical diagnosis and treatment work under the premise of completing basic medical care; Foreign patients seeking medical treatment at the International Medical Department using commercial insurance or self paying will not occupy domestic medical insurance funds. The relevant person in charge of the Medical Department of the National Health Commission stated that after years of deepening reforms, the basic medical service system dominated by public medical institutions has become more stable. On this basis, the development of international medical services in public hospitals is also conducive to enriching the supply of medical resources and forming a beneficial supplement to basic medical services. Experts from the China Hospital Association believe that the comprehensive development of international medical service platforms can have a feedback effect on public hospitals. For example, the advanced concepts and operational experience explored by international medical services can be used for reference, and the income obtained can also be used to increase the supply of basic medical services. In addition, China allows the pilot establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in nine provinces and cities, which will better meet the diverse medical service needs of foreign nationals and Chinese residents. Experts such as Sa Ren, Vice President of Sanya International Friendly Traditional Chinese Medicine Sanatorium, and Xu Xiaoping, Secretary of the Party Committee of the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, believe that on the basis of controlling the proportion of international medical services, it is possible to build a comprehensive service platform that is easy for foreign patients to find and use, send personnel to learn advanced medical technology and management experience, strengthen multilingual service capabilities and international payment facilitation construction, and create a number of globally attractive medical destinations. (New Society)