Nanjing

๐Ÿฅ

Health and Medical Services

Sections

1. Hospitals in Nanjing

Nanjing has a mix of public and private hospitals, as well as international clinics that cater to expatriates and visitors. Public hospitals are generally more affordable but may have longer wait times and language barriers, while private and international hospitals offer more personalized care at a higher cost.

Key Hospitals in Nanjing:

  • Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (ๅ—ไบฌ้ผ“ๆฅผๅŒป้™ข):

    • One of the top public hospitals in Nanjing, known for its comprehensive medical services and advanced facilities.
    • Address: 321 Zhongshan Road, Gulou District.
    • Language: Limited English spoken; bring a translator or use translation apps.

  • Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital (ๆฑŸ่‹็œไบบๆฐ‘ๅŒป้™ข):

    • A large public hospital offering a wide range of specialties.
    • Address: 300 Guangzhou Road, Gulou District.
    • Language: Primarily Chinese; English-speaking staff may be available in some departments.

  • Global Doctor Nanjing Clinic:

    • An international clinic catering to expatriates and travelers, offering English-speaking staff and Western-style medical care.
    • Address: 1F, Building 1, Jinling Hotel Asia Pacific Tower, 2 Hanzhong Road, Xinjiekou.
    • Language: English and Chinese.

  • Nanjing International SOS Clinic:

    • A private clinic offering high-quality care for expatriates, with English-speaking doctors and staff.
    • Address: 1F, Building 1, Jinling Hotel Asia Pacific Tower, 2 Hanzhong Road, Xinjiekou.
    • Language: English and Chinese.

Tips for Visiting Hospitals:

  • Public hospitals often require registration (ๆŒ‚ๅท, guร hร o) before seeing a doctor. This can be done at the hospital's registration desk or via their online system (if you read Chinese).
  • Bring your passport for identification.
  • Expect long wait times at public hospitals unless you pay for VIP services.
  • Payment is typically required upfront for consultations and treatments.

2. Clinics in Nanjing

Clinics are smaller healthcare facilities that handle non-emergency medical issues. They are often more convenient for minor illnesses or routine check-ups.

  • Community Health Clinics (็คพๅŒบๅซ็”ŸๆœๅŠกไธญๅฟƒ):

    • Located in residential areas, these clinics provide basic healthcare services at low costs.
    • Language: Chinese only; bring a translator if needed.

  • Private Clinics:

    • Private clinics like Global Doctor and International SOS are ideal for expatriates, offering shorter wait times and English-speaking staff.

3. Pharmacies in Nanjing

Pharmacies (่ฏๅบ—, yร odiร n) are widely available in Nanjing, and many are open 24/7. They sell prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Key Pharmacy Chains:

  • China Resources Sanjiu Pharmacy (ๅŽๆถฆไธ‰ไน่ฏๆˆฟ):
    • A reliable chain with locations throughout the city.
  • Tongrentang (ๅŒไปๅ ‚):
    • Specializes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) but also carries Western medications.

Tips for Using Pharmacies:

  • Prescription medications require a doctorโ€™s prescription, which you can obtain from a hospital or clinic.
  • Pharmacists may not speak English, so itโ€™s helpful to have the Chinese name of the medication or its active ingredient written down.
  • Bring a translation app or a local friend to assist with communication.

4. Emergency Services in Nanjing

In case of a medical emergency, you can call the following numbers:

  • Ambulance: 120
  • Police: 110
  • Fire: 119

Key Points About Emergency Services:

  • Ambulance services in Nanjing are reliable but may not be as fast as in Western countries. If possible, itโ€™s often quicker to take a taxi or ride-hailing service (e.g., Didi) to the nearest hospital.
  • Ambulance staff may not speak English, so itโ€™s helpful to have your destination written in Chinese.

5. Health Insurance

Health insurance is essential for accessing medical care in Nanjing, especially for expatriates and visitors.

Types of Health Insurance:

  • Chinese Public Health Insurance:
    • Available to residents and those with work permits. It covers a portion of medical expenses at public hospitals.
    • Requires enrollment through your employer or local government.
  • Private Health Insurance:
    • Recommended for expatriates and visitors, as it provides access to private and international hospitals.
    • Popular providers include Allianz, Cigna, and Bupa.

Tips for Using Health Insurance:

  • Check whether your insurance plan has direct billing arrangements with hospitals in Nanjing.
  • Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement if direct billing is not available.

6. Costs of Medical Services

Healthcare costs in Nanjing vary depending on the type of facility and service.

Estimated Costs:

  • Public Hospitals:

    • Registration fee: ยฅ10โ€“ยฅ50.
    • Consultation with a general practitioner: ยฅ50โ€“ยฅ200.
    • Specialist consultation: ยฅ200โ€“ยฅ500.
    • Inpatient care: ยฅ300โ€“ยฅ1,000 per day (excluding treatment costs).

  • Private/International Clinics:

    • Consultation fee: ยฅ800โ€“ยฅ2,000.
    • Diagnostic tests and treatments are significantly more expensive than in public hospitals.

  • Medications:

    • Over-the-counter drugs: ยฅ20โ€“ยฅ100.
    • Prescription drugs: ยฅ50โ€“ยฅ500, depending on the medication.

7. Language Considerations

Language can be a barrier in Nanjingโ€™s healthcare system, especially in public hospitals and pharmacies.

Tips for Overcoming Language Barriers:

  • Use translation apps like Google Translate or Pleco to communicate with medical staff.
  • Learn basic medical phrases in Chinese, such as:
    • "I need a doctor" (ๆˆ‘้œ€่ฆๅŒป็”Ÿ, wว’ xลซyร o yฤซshฤ“ng).
    • "I feel sick" (ๆˆ‘่ง‰ๅพ—ไธ่ˆ’ๆœ, wว’ juรฉde bรน shลซfu).
  • Bring a local friend or hire a translator if possible.

8. Safety and Security Tips

  • Avoid Counterfeit Medications: Only purchase medications from reputable pharmacies.
  • Be Aware of Scams: Some private clinics may overcharge foreigners. Research the facility beforehand.
  • Stay Updated on Vaccinations: Ensure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations and consider additional ones like Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies if you plan to stay long-term or travel to rural areas.
  • Carry Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of emergency numbers and the address of your preferred hospital in both English and Chinese.

9. Additional Resources

  • WeChat Mini Programs: Many hospitals and clinics in Nanjing have WeChat mini-programs for appointment booking and payment. Search for the hospitalโ€™s name in WeChat.
  • Expat Communities: Join local expat groups on platforms like WeChat or Facebook for recommendations and advice on healthcare providers.

By following this guide, you can navigate Nanjingโ€™s healthcare system with confidence and ensure your health and safety during your stay.