China's healthcare advances drawing worldwide attention

In a testament to China's burgeoning medical capabilities and international hospitality, doctors in Chongqing recently treated a Spanish tourist who suffered a severe pelvic fracture. Aided by a domestically developed orthopedic robotic system, the successful surgery underlined both the advanced level of healthcare in the southwestern municipality and its accessibility for international patients.

The 30-year-old male tourist, identified only as Juan, expressed his relief on Feb 4 at the inpatient ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in Chongqing's Yuzhong district, saying: "The experience was very positive. You can see I am good and feeling no pain … it's so surreal."

The man was injured during a trip to Guang'an, Sichuan province, in late January. His friend, Cai Xuefeng, a native of Chongqing, acted swiftly to transfer him to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. There, a team of 10 experts and doctors, led by Shui Wei, deputy director of the hospital's orthopedics department, took charge of his treatment.

"The trauma was severe and his condition was critical," Shui said. "Pelvic fractures are notoriously serious in trauma orthopedics, given the pelvis' role as a central structure connecting the torso to the lower limbs, supporting the spine, and housing critical organs, blood vessels, and nerves. Such injuries can lead to severe bleeding and other life-threatening complications."

Juan underwent a 90-minute surgical procedure on Jan 30, and thanks to the precise and minimally invasive nature of the orthopedic surgical robot, he was able to sit up within three days and was discharged after five.

Shui expressed optimism about Juan's recovery, suggesting he could be on his feet in a month, walk unassisted in three months, and eventually return to his passion for extreme sports if he adheres to a proper rehabilitation program.

"Reducing surgical trauma and promoting rapid recovery have always been key goals for surgeons," Shui said, noting that without robotic assistance, traditional treatment for Juan's condition would typically require large incisions of about 10 centimeters for the front pelvic ring and more than 10 cm for the back, along with numerous X-rays due to the complexity of the procedure.

However, by using a robotic system that integrates preoperative 3D scanning with real-time navigation, Juan's fractures were treated with much smaller incisions — just a 7-centimeter incision in the front and two tiny 2-millimeter wounds in the back.

Established in 1957, Shui's department was the first in China to create a multidisciplinary team for accelerated rehabilitation, marking a major advancement in the field.

The department has led the way in using orthopedic surgical robots for joint, spine and trauma surgeries, completing hundreds of operations. Remarkably, they performed a hip replacement on a 111-year-old patient, the oldest person ever to have the procedure.

In the past, many Chinese citizens traveled abroad for medical treatment. Today, however, the nation's healthcare system is increasingly attracting international attention. With China's economic growth and more open entry policies, many foreigners have accessed Chinese healthcare, either by choice or by chance, and their experiences have sparked widespread discussion in global media.

Amie, a British influencer, took to social media to share her remarkable healthcare experience in China. After waiting two years for treatment in her home country, she was able to complete the entire process in just 13 days in China. She highlighted the stark cost difference, noting that treatment in China can be up to 10 times cheaper than in Britain.

So-called reverse medical tourism, driven by China's medical efficiency, advanced techniques, affordability and accessibility, makes the nation a viable destination for medical care.

According to the National Health Commission, in 2025, key hospitals in China that handle international patients had received 1.28 million international visits, a sharp increase of 73.6 percent compared to three years earlier, with the number of patients from Europe and the United States doubling.

In response to the growing demand, Chinese healthcare institutions are enhancing their services for foreign patients, establishing specialized clinics, improving bilingual communication and implementing direct billing with international health insurance.

Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn