Beijing hospitals offer exclusive treatment tours for overseas travelers

A Chinese girl sorts out traditional Chinese remedies to supply doctor's orders for patients at a clinic in Beijing, China Thursday Dec. 15, 2005. As temperatures drop and flu related symptoms become more common, Chinese flock to traditional non-aggressive methods to soothe their ailments. While Western medicine is commonly available throughout China for the treatment of many diseases, Chinese still turn TCM which plays a special role for the nation in treating the sick and keeping healthy. [Photo: AP]

Beijing's hospitals are leveraging the growing worldwide interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by launching package tours to China that combine tourism with treatment.

With a history of more than 2,000 years, TCM is seen by many as a national treasure in China for its unique theories and practices, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and dietetics.

It's estimated there are currently 482,000 TCM doctors in China as a whole.

Chinese doctors say traditional treatments offer innovative solutions to some Western ailments.

Gao Yun, a senior researcher of TCM and the president of the Eye Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. [Photo: China Plus]

"In Northern European countries, especially in extremely cold areas, it snows a lot and the harsh sunlight can harm people's eyes. We are in discussion with travel agencies in Norway to cooperate on medical tourism. The travel packages allow travelers to visit Beijing, and at the same time access traditional medical treatments. Many products of Chinese traditional medicine have a good effect on patients who have chronic eye diseases such as macular degeneration,”said Gao Yun, a senior researcher and the head of the Eye Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

A group of doctors and patients from St.Olav’s Eye Clinic in the city of Tonsberg in Norway in a group photo with Chinese doctors at the Eye Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing. [Photo:stolaveye.com]

The Eye Hospital has also signed a deal with a local medical institution to build a TCM center in Tonsberg in Norway.

Since 2015, dozens of patients have travelled to the Eye Hospital in Beijing for short-term treatment.

These treatment tours usually last for two weeks.

Under the agreement, the Norwegian hospital sends Norwegian patients with eye disorders to the Eye Hospital in Beijing, for a course of intensive treatment.

An increasing number of overseas travelers come to China to seek TCM treatment. [Photo: stolaveye.com]

The patients are diagnosed by Chinese eye doctors and receive daily intensive care, involving a combination of Chinese herbs and acupuncture.

Additionally, patients get the chance to explore the city of Beijing.

"The patients receive medical treatment at local clinics and hospitals. Local doctors first treat the patients according to their own regimens. Sometimes the doctors and their patients come to our hospital. Sometimes we sent our doctors to Norway if it's necessary. A group of Norwegian doctors are due to come here in October," said Gao Yun, who added that some doctors have come to his hospital for medical training on TCM, adding that it helps patients to receive combined therapy and treatment using traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Gao said personalized treatments and therapies are created for patients, according to the specific conditions of each individual.

"Medical treatment tourism can benefit patients a lot. On one hand, travel gives people time to readjust their body and mind. On the other, health maintenance is a critical part of the treatment. Treatment travel can help patients to relax, which will help facilitate the medical procedure, so as to enhance the effect of the treatments. The patients will enjoy long-term benefits from the treatment tours," said Gao.

A Chinese man takes a closer look at a Chinese medicine on display at a booth during a Health Culture Festival held at the Ditan Park in Beijing, China Friday, May 13, 2011. [Photo: AP]

It's estimated that Beijing receives approximately 170 million travelers each year, among which 30 million are in search of health care.

Tapping into this demand, Beijing has launched the international TCM medical tourism service program.

As part of the scheme, thirty packages of TCM treatments for international tourists were unveiled by the Beijing Municipal Administration of TCM last month.

The packages, the first in Beijing, cover 30 conditions, mainly chronic problems such as insomnia, headaches and diabetic foot pain and ulcers.

Fifteen hospitals are taking part in the program.

Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences is part of the program.

The renowned TCM hospital in China offers various services and treatments for global medical tourism.

Thousands of travelers have come to the hospital for TCM treatments in the past year.

The file photo shows Dr. Cui Yongqiang, a senior executive and former TCM doctor with Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. [Photo: China Plus]

Cui Yongqiang, a senior executive and former TCM doctor with Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, suggested short-term TCM treatment is especially suitable for some chronic problems like rehabilitation for cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Some treatments and methods of China's traditional medicine for rehabilitation have proven to be effective in helping cancer patients relieve pains after major surgeries and chemotherapy, Dr. Cui added.

He said doctors in his hospital are capable of practicing both modern western treatment methods and Chinese traditional treatment. He noted many patients have benefitted from the integrated methods and they are exploring more practical and effective treatments for patients with a combination of both Chinese and western medicine.  

To promote the latest researches and findings on TCM, Cui Yongqiang, a senior executive and former TCM doctor with Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, hosts a round table discussion joined by expats in Beijing at his hospital every Thursday.  [Photo: China Plus]

Beijing is rich in TCM resources, with dozens of TCM hospitals, as well as a large number of respected clinics and physicians.

According to a document issued by the National Tourism Administration and the State Administration of TCM in 2016, China is planning to establish ten national TCM tourism demonstration areas, 100 TCM tourism demonstration bases and 1,000 TCM tourism demonstration projects in the coming three years.

Li Jiangbin, a senior official with the Beijing Municipal Administration of TCM, said the Chinese capital is host to a large group of top hospitals which boast good reputations for TCM, adding that the ancient city also has rich tourism resources.

Li Jiangbin, a senior official with the Beijing municipal administration of TCM.[Photo: China Plus]

He believes these factors make Beijing an ideal destination for tourists who are seeking medical treatment.

"We plan to build Beijing into a global medical tourism center and the first choice for those who want to seek traditional medical treatment. We have signed a series of agreements with foreign medical institutes to set up overseas medical centers or bases. and many cooperation deals are underway these days. We have also made plans to cultivate and recruit a cadre of medical talents who have expertise in traditional Chinese medicine while having a command of various languages. Various departments including the traffic department, tourism sectors and customs are expected to work closely to make collective efforts to facilitate the programs," said Li.

Li added that medical institutions that sign up to the program are carefully examined before they are qualified to participate.

The medical official noted also that many hospitals have signed contracts with some tourism agencies including Ctrip, to help visitors by providing information, guidance, transfers, accommodation to facilitate their stay in China.