Authorities are checking the qualifications of medical facilities that are applying to launch eight complicated procedures, Shanghai Health Bureau officials said yesterday.

The final list of qualified hospitals will be known by the year's end, while the first batch of 19 facilities given a license to conduct facial reconstruction surgery has been publicized.

In order to regulate medical practices and protect patients, the bureau issued requirements on staff, medical processes and hardware in January on eight practices, including coronary heart disease intervention surgery, ultrasonic cataract surgery, facial reconstruction, blood dialysis, clinical gene amplification tests, cardiac catheter ablation, high intensive focused ultrasounds and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Xu Beihua, president of Shanghai BK Major Young Plastic Surgery Hospital, one of the 19 qualified facilities for facial reconstructions, said there are more than 110 comprehensive hospitals and clinics licensed for plastic surgery in the city, and that it is good the bureau regulates the market with high requirements.

"It protects patients, as well as qualified hospitals and doctors," she said.

According to the bureau, all eight procedures are complicated and risky with good business value, but need strict administration.

The bureau received applications and invited experts to appraise every hospital and clinic applying for a license.

"Discussion on the other seven practices is in the final stages," said Song Guofan, an official at Shanghai Health Bureau.

(Shanghai Daily November 9, 2007)