Download
Community health service centers play a vital role for Chinese patients, but they also provide services to expatriates.
Sanlitun, an area of Beijing with a large foreign population, is a prime example.
Nestled among embassies and expat residences, Sanlitun health service center receives about 120,000 patients a year. Of these, more than 400 are expatriates, including staff members of embassies and companies and their families, said Cui Xueli, director of the center.
"We charge them the same price that we charge Chinese patients," he said.
According to Cui, expats go to the center mainly for vaccinations for their children and physical checkups before they start kindergarten. Some come for treatment of minor ailments such as colds, fevers or inflammations, as well as dental problems.
Foreigners are also attracted by traditional Chinese medicine.
"The number of foreigners who come for our TCM service has been increasing gradually over the years," Cui said.
Jiao Bin, a doctor at the center's TCM department, said some foreigners come in groups, and many seek to relieve symptoms of work pressure, such as insomnia or digestive problems.
"It is much cheaper in China," he said.
It costs just 3 yuan ($0.49) to consult a doctor at the center.
Tian Yali, head of the center's healthcare department, which handles children's inoculations and physical checkups, agreed that the low price is a key factor.
Tian said that more than 30 foreign children are vaccinated there each year, and more than 50 come for physical exams before enrolling in kindergarten.
The center provides flu vaccinations to students in schools sponsored by embassies.
Expatriates' children, like those of the Chinese residents, receive free vaccinations for hepatitis, tuberculosis, epidemic meningitis and polio, and students in schools sponsored by embassies get flu vaccinations for free, as do the Chinese students, she said.
"Also, primary physical exams for children cost no more than 50 yuan."
However, problems of communication remain a challenge.
"Expatriates speak all kinds of languages," Tian said. "Our staff workers can speak English to clarify basic issues, but those who don't speak English will have to come with a translator."
About the broadcaster:
Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.
Burberry要哭,2千亿美金的大生意做不好
美中贸易战之际,日相安倍晋三将初次访华
国内英语资讯:Lawmakers call for expansion of criminal default judgment scope
国际英语资讯:News Analysis: European Commission rejects Italys budget plan, moving standoff to new phas
体坛英语资讯:Corinthians name son of Brazil great Jairzinho as coach
可口可乐要做大麻饮料?这是认真的嘛...
国内英语资讯:Xi announces opening of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
国内英语资讯:Xi sends condolences to Nguyen Phu Trong over passing away of Vietnamese president
中国在古代是世界强国吗?
遗传研究揭秘人类的潜在寿命
骇人:癌症细胞竟随器官移植传播
改革印记:“带电栽培”助力中国新农业革命
国际英语资讯:Pakistan arrests 16 Indian fishermen: officials
体坛英语资讯:FIBA U23 3X3 World Cup: Chinese women team suffers two consecutive defeats
国内英语资讯:China, India vow to strengthen cooperation on law enforcement, security
体坛英语资讯:Thai soccer team rescued from cave to attend Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games
国内英语资讯:China committed to facilitating just settlement of Palestinian issue: vice president
怎样才能做到少喝酒?
Kua Fu in the Modern Society 现代夸父
个子矮,所以减肥更困难?
体坛英语资讯:WCBA expands to 18 teams in new season
国际英语资讯:Zambia, Zimbabwe seal 4 cooperation deals
国内英语资讯:China-Singapore rail-sea transit route expands B&R cooperation
国内英语资讯:Lawmakers deliberate draft international criminal judicial assistance law
英国专家:上下班通勤也该算工作时间
安理会讨论伊朗及大规模杀伤性武器问题
如何快速找到男朋友?
《孤独星球》2019十大最佳旅行城市榜单 深圳上榜
国际英语资讯:Universities of Portugal, Belgium sign agreements on student, teacher exchange
Snow Scenery 雪景