New intl hospital brings latest medical resources and technologies to Hainan

A doctor introduces up-to-date medical equipment to journalists at the Boao Evergrande International Hospital. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mark A. Davis, executive director of Business Development Strategic Initiatives with Brigham Health, said at the opening ceremony that Brigham and Women's hospital, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, wishes to be further engaged in medical development in China.

"Boao's unique location in the medical pilot zone allows for a unique partnership where Chinese and American experts can work together to provide cutting-edge therapies not yet available elsewhere. We also respect traditional Chinese medicine, and look to learn from our colleagues," said Davis.

He said the two sides will work together in training on the hospital's state-of-the-art equipment and exchanges between physicians at the Boao hospital and Brigham and Women's Dana-Farber Cancer Center. Through telehealth technologies, collaborating will be conducted on interpreting microscopic slides and X-rays and in patient case discussions.

The 2017 annual report from the National Cancer Center said that there is an increase of 4.29 million new cancer patients every year in China, accounting for 20 percent of the world's total. In recent years, the number of Chinese going abroad to seek overseas medical service has been increasing. Eighty percent were cancer patients and 20 percent were patients with heart cerebrovascular and neural system diseases.

The full view of the Boao Evergrande International Hospital [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, located on the eastern side of Hainan Island, is about six kilometers from the permanent site of the Boao Forum for Asia. It has become a leading medical tourism attraction since it was chosen in 2013 as the country's first pilot zone to develop into an international medical tourism model for the country's healthcare industry. It enjoys nine preferential policies, including special permission for medical talents, technologies, devices, innovative drugs and leading-edge medical technology research, such as stem cell clinical research.

A total of 37 projects have passed medical technology appraisals, with 17 of them under construction and four already in operation or in trial operation. According to He, the administrative department has consulted with developers of 101 high-end medical and healthcare projects.