More Chinese seeking medical treatment abroad
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E-mail CNTV, April 14, 2014
Medical tourism--or seeking treatment in another country--while common in many western countries, is a new phenomenon in China. More and more affluent Chinese are opting for better care -- and treatments not available at home.
Wu Qingzhen didn't think she would have the pleasure of feeding her goldfish at home again. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Although she had seen top doctors in China, she was suffering from side-effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy badly.
"I am feeling much better now - my appetite is getting bigger, and I can sleep longer. I ate a lot of seasonal vegetables and fish when I returned to Shanghai this time," Wu.
It is the treatment in the Massachusetts General Hospital in the US that made the change. Wu was admitted to hospital in February of 2013, and has been trying various treatments since then. Her symptoms are now under control. But the progress doesn't come cheap. On average, cancer treatment between 3 and 6 months in the US costs from 100,000 to 150,000 USD.
"I told the doctor that a mother needs her daughter, a son needs his mother, and a husband needs his wife. For me, nothing is more important than life," Zhang Hui, Wu's husband, said.
Zhang is not alone in his thinking.
While money can't buy health, it certainly gives people more choice of treatments. Seeing doctor abroad is becoming an alternative for those who can afford it, especially when they are told that the disease cannot be treated in China.
Yin Zhiliang is putting his last hope in a medical tourism provider in Beijing. His brother has been diagnosed with a rare blood disease. But the only treatment that works is available in the US. Without any knowledge of the American medical system, the family was unsure how to pick the right hospital and doctor.
"It has been more than six months since we knew the treatment was available in the US. We have asked friends there to help, searched on the Internet, but still couldn't find the right hospital and the access," Yin said.
Noticing the need, this company is providing services of recommending hospitals, referring patients and preparing medical history paperwork.
"What we do here is to bring together patients and foreign hospitals. Most of our clients' concern is the result, but we can only guarantee to find the hospitals and doctors that suit them best," Lian Yaoguo, Chief Medical Officer of Beijing Saint Lucia Consulting PTY Ltd., said.
Medical tourism is in the early stage in China. Currently there is no official regulation for it, which might lead to legal, ethical or financial issues.
"I hope that some industry association or government department can draw up conduct standards and code when more join this market. Companies should not mislead patients by false information, because it is about lives and a huge amount of money," James Cai, General Manager of Beijing Saint Lucia Consulting PTY Ltd., said.
Although medical tourism offers more choices and hopes, it can't guarantee the result. And it is a big decision that patients and their families need to consider carefully.
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