Guangdong province has officially designated its first batch of 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services, according to a joint announcement on March 26 by the Provincial Health Commission, the Provincial Healthcare Security Administration, and the Provincial Medical Products Administration.
These hospitals will provide medical services that adhere to internationally recognized standards in technology, procedures, management systems, and payment methods. The initiative targets patients who pay out-of-pocket or hold international commercial insurance, including residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, foreign nationals, and overseas Chinese.
Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Photo: Nanfang Daily)
The pilot hospitals are primarily located in the Pearl River Delta region and include provincial and ministerial-level institutions, renowned traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, leading municipal hospitals, and high-quality private hospitals.
According to the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, the international medical services are strictly for self-funded patients or those covered by international commercial insurance, with costs not covered by basic medical insurance. Pilot hospitals have the authority to set their own prices for these services.
In terms of management, the pilot hospitals are required to maintain a strict physical separation between international medical services and basic medical services. The international services will utilize new hospital beds, operate in independent zones, and have dedicated service teams to ensure a full closed-loop service experience.
The pilot period is set for 2026 and 2027. Authorities will dynamically adjust the list of pilot institutions based on operational performance, service quality, and public feedback.
The move comes as data shows a significant rise in demand, with the number of foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in Guangdong in 2025 increasing over 20 percent year-on-year, while hospitalization needs surged by 76.05 percent. The pilot program aims to better meet the diverse healthcare needs of these groups, as well as some domestic patients.
List of the first 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services in Guangdong
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Poster | Lai Meiya
