Find comprehensive information for medical centers in the People's republic of China.
Medical in China
"HOSPITAL" - 医院 - "Yi-Yuan". Say it as if it's one word - pronounced "yiyen".
If you don't have access to the internet and you're in a bind and need to find a doctor, best bet is to go to the nicest hotel around and ask them. Generally speaking the nicer hotels usually have staff that can speak English and dollars to donuts they know where you should go.
Most major cities have a good number of hospitals and now that foreign doctors can practise in China there many new international clinics and even hospitals with English speaking doctors who are practising western medicine.
Chinese state hospitals can be scary places - they are best described as developing rather than developed. If you need a blood transfusion or if you are giving blood do your best to get to an international clinic. The biggest fear in China now is in regard to contaminated blood stock.
***NOTE: if you've been reading through our site this will not be the first time you have read this. Footprints Recruiting STRONGLY recommends getting expat medical coverage when teaching in China. Be prepared. An accident overseas can cost you or your parents EVERYTHING.
For at least the first year or two in China, it is often true that you get sick more often than in your home country. Diarrhea can be a problem in getting used to the food and water.
Local Chinese people tend to use traditional Chinese medicines for minor ailments, but many western medicines are now available “over the counter” at local drug stores including a variety of antibiotic and antiviral drugs, steroid creams, anti-inflammatory creams, asthma medicine, and gastrointestinal drugs for diarrhoea and heartburn. Drugs for pain, fever, colds and allergies are also available.
STDs in China
In the next few years, heterosexual contact will become the major source of infection for Aids in China, endangering the general population not just high-risk groups.
Up to now, intravenous drug use is still the major transmission channel, while unsanitary blood selling from the mid-1980s to 1990s has affected farming regions in central China. But with the increase in promiscuity and widespread prostitution, heterosexual contact will replace drug injection as the major cause of HIV and Aids infections.
Foreign Clinics in China
Many westerners feel more comfortable dealing with a doctor that speaks English. Follow this link to an incredibly useful link courtesy of the US Embassy in China. This page has a list of major hospitals across China with English speaking staff, with their schedules, telephone numbers and addresses. In addition to doctors, this page contains contact information for English speaking dentists, specialists of all kinds and psychiatrists as well:
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter China, and the health precautions you should observe in China are similar to those in the United States, Canada, Japan or other developed nations. Before you go you should make sure that you are up to date with your childhood immunizations, and you may want to get immunized against Hepatitis A and B- although not terribly prevalent in China, why take chances when it can be prevented? Both Hepatitis A and B require three shots over a series of weeks, so plan ahead.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Although it won’t be covered by your medical insurance, you may want to consider trying traditional Chinese medicinal cures during your stay in China. Keep in mind that Chinese traditional medicine is best for treating chronic conditions such as obesity, hepatitis, skin diseases, chronic pains and headaches- if you need an appendectomy we suggest going to a Western doctor.
