China’s first medical agent service appeared in Shanghai. When this kind of service become popular across the country, it will become a commonplace for common Chinese people to see doctors abroad.
Anxing, a health consultation company in Taiwan, has recently landed in Shanghai with its 17 medical agents. Patients in Shanghai who suffer serious diseases can be diagnosed at one of the best hospitals at home and then transferred to a hospital abroad if necessary, with the help of medical agents. All these medical agents have established contacts with hospitals in more than 20 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to one of the agents, they will be fully responsible for the transition of the patient. When a patient is diagnosed in China and decides to seek treatment abroad, he or she goes to a medical agent, who will deliver a translated copy of the patient’s medical record to the local transition department as soon as possible. The local transition department will select the most suitable doctors to work out a treatment plan within a couple of days, including seeking treatment in a foreign country.
The medical agent will escort the patient during the whole journey and help him or her by offering travel services and psychological advices, until the patient recovers and returns home.
It is reported that this new medical service will be available in Shanghai in the latter half of the year. It’s estimated to cost US$2,000 for an international referral. According to people in the business, medical agents in the first group are all professionals who have certain medical background. They’ll make sure their clients get the most suitable treatment and try their best to reduce the cost.
Domestic referral service will also be available soon. At present, Shanghai has established collaborative relationships with well-known hospitals in Wenzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Wuxi.
(China.org.cn by Wang Qian January 25, 2003)
