As a foreigner, what to do if you have a sudden medical emergency in China?

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(Photo/People's Daily Overseas Edition)

According to statistics from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, the number of expats working in China had reached 24.6 million by the end of 2012. More foreigners are coming to China to study or travel. Leaving their homeland and coming to a strange place, people need to be quickly acclimatized. Seeing a doctor is one of the basic necessities for foreigners in China.

Outpatient services directed to foreigners

In Beijing, 29 hospitals including Beijing Hospital, Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, and Beijing Friendship Hospital have outpatient services directed to foreigners. Foreign students prefer go to the Peking University Third Hospital. Most European and American people like to choose the century-old Beijing Union Medical College Hospital if they feel unwell. Eastern Europeans generally see a doctor at Beijing Friendship hospital. Asian people, especially Japanese, will prefer the China-Japan Friendship Hospital.

International Emergency Rescue Center in China

If a foreigner suffers a sudden illness and knows nothing about the local hospitals, what should they do? In Oct. 1995, the International Emergency Rescue Center was founded in China to meet the emergency needs of foreigners in China.

Statistics indicate that the rescue center had provided medical assistance to 1.3 million expatriates in China by the end of 2012. 5,615 people have received direct medical services provided by the network of hospitals affiliated to the Rescue Center.

Working process of Rescue Center in China

24hr Alarm Center open 365 days with emergency hotline: 800-810-9995 or 010-88393900.

Currently, registering with the International Emergency Rescue Center is the basic condition to be eligible for its services. If the insured has a medical emergency in Chinese mainland, they can call the Alarm Center directly. The receptionist will provide basic medical and psychological support and help to report the case to the relevant authorities if necessary. The Rescue Center will contact a suitable hospital, arrange medical treatment, and pay the medical costs in accordance with the insurance policy.

The International Emergency Rescue Center now has a network consisting of 918 hospitals, covering China's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

How to become a member of the International Emergency Rescue Center in China

The Rescue Center works in cooperation with several insurance companies providing medical emergency services such as China Taiping Insurance Company, and provides easy access to medical services by cooperating with some foreign insurance companies such as Aetna. To get more information about registration for membership, visit the website: www.ieachina.cn or call the service hotline: 0086-10-88393953 or 88393872.

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