by Rachel Middagh and Jingbo Wu
June 2009

Just like taxi drivers, local hospitals in Shanghai are also classified by a star system. They range from one to three stars with three given to national, provincial and city hospitals as well as those affiliated with top universities and medical schools. Among the three-star facilities, those designated class A usually have the top doctors and specialists.

All three-star, class A hospitals in Shanghai have international or VIP patient centers with English-speaking staff. Fees are lower at these facilities than at the international hospitals, but still higher than regular clinics.
VIP centers usually have better facilities, shorter waits and they’ll work with both international and local insurance companies. Patients get more one-on-one services, more time with doctors, and priority on lab exams, treatments, hospitalization and operations. Additionally, VIP clients receive treatment from that hospital’s best doctors and specialists.

Following is a partial list of Shanghai’s three-star local hospitals. (A full list can be found at http://www.ikang.com/med/city.php?cityid=0021 – Chinese only.) These facilities are not for emergencies, rather for appointment-based care. And in most cases when you call you’ll need the assistance of a Chinese-speaking friend if you don’t have strong language skills.

(Note: Website addresses included only when English language content is available.)

Changning District

Shanghai Chest Hospital  
Specialties include cardiovascular system, lung, esophagus and trachea.
241 Huaihai Xi Lu, 6282 1990, ext. 90205

Hongkou District

Shanghai First People’s Hospital
585 Jiu Long Lu, 6324 3852, 6324 0090, ext. 2101 or 2102

Yueyang Hospital    
44 Qinghai Lu, 6253 6300, www.yymyc.com/en/about.htm

Shanghai Changzheng Hospital
Orthopedics department rated one of the best nationwide. Also noted for its excellence in neurosurgery and urology.

415 Fengyang Lu, 8188 5563

Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University

Rated one of China’s best ob-gyn hospitals.

419 Fangxie Lu, 6345 5050, www.fckyy.com

Huangpu District

Renji Hospital (Western clinic)

Top-rated hospital in endocrinology, neurosurgery and digestive internal medicine.

145 Shandong Zhong Lu, 5388 2113

Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital (affiliated with Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)
One the best dental hospitals in Shanghai.

639 Zhizao Ju Lu, 2327 1699, www.9hospital.com

Jing An District

Huashan Hospital (affiliated with Fudan University)

Rated one of the nation’s best hospitals and has achieved excellence in neurosurgery.
Three locations:
15/F, 12 Wulumuqi Lu; 6248 3986
396 Jiangsu Lu, Huashan Dongfang Breast Specialist Hospital; 6248 9999
525 Hongfeng Lu (Pudong); 5030 1999
www.sh-hwmc.com.cn

Hua Dong Hospital

Founded in 1951, this hospital was originally established for government officials, VIPs and diplomats. Well known for geriatrics, digestive internal medicine and dental medicine.

2/F, Bldg 5, 221 Yan An Xi Lu, 6248 3180, ext. 30106 or 30107

Shanghai Children’s Hospital (affiliated with Jiao Tong University)
24, Lane 1400, Beijing Xi Lu, 6247 4880

Luwan District

Ruijin Hospital
Excellent reputation in orthopedics, endocrinology and has one of the best burn treatment and surgery departments nationwide.

197 Ruijin 2 Lu, Bldg 9, 6467 8970

Putuo District

Tongji Hospital of Tongji University
3/F, 389 Xincun Lu, 5606 9019

Pudong

Shanghai Children’s Medical Center
1678 Dongfang Lu, 3862 6161, www.scmc.com.cn

Renji Hospital
(Eastern Clinic)
1630 Dongfang Lu, 6838 3120

Shuguang Hospital
(TCM and western medicine, affiliated with Shanghai University of TCM)

Includes a separate facility for the Shuguang International Healthcare Center located in the newly constructed and state-of-the-art east campus of Shanghai Shuguang Hospital.

528 Zhangheng Lu, 5132 8888, www.sgyy.cn

Xujiahui District

Children’s Hospital of Fudan University
130 Yixueyuan Lu, 6417 5173, ch.shmu.edu.cn/3a.asp

Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University
180 Feng Lin Road, 6404 1990, ext. 2522, www.zs-hospital.sh.cn

Cancer Hospital Fudan University
Considered one of the nation’s best oncology centers.
270 Dong An Lu, 6443 2854, 6443 8005, www.shca.org.cn

International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of the China Welfare Institute
www.ipmch.com.cn/vip/index.aspx
1961 Huashan Lu (or 910 Hengshan Lu)
VIP Appointment: 6447 0399,
VIP Info: 6407 4887

Yangpu District

Xinhua Hospital (affiliated with Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)
Shanghai’s best children’s hospital. Also has the city’s best cardiovascular department.
1665 Kong Jiang Lu, 6515 2623, www.xinhua-scmc.com.cn

Zhabei District

Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital (affiliated with Tongji University)
301 Yanchang Zhong Lu, 6630 0588, ext. 3603

Children’s Hospital of Fudan University
One of the nation’s best children’s hospitals.
399 Wanyuan Lu, 6493 1990, ch.shmu.edu.cn, ch.shmu.edu.cn/3a.asp (international clinic)

My visit to a VIP Clinic  by Rachel Middagh

by Rachel Middagh

I have always had a little bony bump on my head. But over the last year or so, I noticed it was getting larger and hurt occasionally. My husband joked that I was growing horns. I was not as amused. It was time to see a doctor.

I went to the Dong Fang Hospital VIP Clinic. It is located at the northwest corner of the building and features a spacious lobby with comfy orange chairs. I didn’t book an appointment. Rather, I just walked in and inquired about seeing a physician.

The process began with registration and being issued a client card and patient booklet which I need to bring for all subsequent visits. After being triaged by an English-speaking nurse, I was asked to come back the next day for an appointment.

I returned the next day and was ushered into a clean, private examination room. The physician examined me and explained – with the help of one of the nurses – that I would need a CAT scan.

Because the clinic is located in a general hospital, patients have remarkable access to screening and testing services. I was led to the CAT scan room where I was processed immediately. The entire procedure took perhaps 10 minutes after which I was directed back to the clinic with my film in hand.

The physician reviewed my results and declared me healthy. She told me to come back if there were any further changes and explained briefly what care would be necessary if my bony bump decided to misbehave. She also recommended a follow-up visit to keep an eye on things.

The CAT scan and consultation with a senior physician cost about 360 RMB and an initial registration fee came in at less than 100 RMB. The peace of mind, however, was priceless.

Dong Fang Hospital, VIP Clinic
150 Jimo Lu at Pudong Da Dao
3880 4518