In late February 2026, a patient from Peru with a retinal disease, who had received multiple treatments in the United States, traveled to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University (ZOC of SYSU) in Guangzhou. After undergoing surgery by a retinal specialist, the patient achieved good vision recovery.
This case reflects a growing trend: more international patients are coming to China, particularly to Guangdong Province, for medical treatment. At the end of March, Guangdong officially designated 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services. These hospitals are taking concrete steps to align with global standards and improve patient experience.
Innovative therapies available
Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, through its Concord Medical Center, has two outpatient clinics, 23 independent consultation rooms, and 54 inpatient beds across three wards. The center is equipped with integrated diagnostic and treatment systems, including CT, MR, endoscopy, laboratory, and pharmacy services, enabling full "diagnosis-examination-medication-admission" closed-loop management.
Jianhua International Healthcare Center at FAH-SYSU
The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (FAH-SYSU) provides international medical services at both its Yuexiu and Nansha campuses. The Yuexiu campus provides nine consultation rooms and ten beds, while the Nansha campus has a dedicated international medical center building with 17 consultation rooms and 150 beds.
Services include dental, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), ophthalmology, pediatrics, endoscopy, ultrasound, cosmetic medicine, health checkups, and vaccinations. "In nephrology, some globally innovative therapies may not be available in Japan or Singapore yet, but they are already accessible here," said Chen Wei, vice president of FAH-SYSU.
Through the "Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect" policy, the approved hospitals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can use urgently needed drugs and devices already approved in Hong Kong and Macao SARs.
Wang Zilian, co-vice president of FAH-SYSU, said they have introduced new cochlear implants, anti-D immunoglobulin, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis systems, and intrathecal injection therapies.
Better payment services
In 2025, ZOC of SYSU recorded 7,353 outpatient visits and 336 inpatient procedures involving patients from China's Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as other regions and countries, mainly from the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
ZOC of SYSU is currently the largest public eye hospital in China.
The Center noted that international patients with commercial insurance might have higher expectations for direct billing services. To address this, it has signed direct payment agreements with more than ten domestic and international insurance companies, including the Bank of China Insurance, Ping An, MSH, and AIA, making medical visits more convenient.
Experts also called for the establishment of industry associations or pricing alliances to standardize practices and enhance the patient experience.