The Shanghai government publishes two lists that help a foreign patient: the public hospitals it chose to pilot international medical services, and the international or VIP departments of public hospitals. We copy both here in the government's own order and wording. We don't rank hospitals, and Ward & Way is not affiliated with any hospital named on this page.
Public hospitals piloting international medical services
In September 2024 the city government named 13 public hospitals as the first test sites for international medical services. Pilot hospitals are setting up dedicated international departments (Shanghai government, Sep 2024). The list as published:
- Huashan Hospital of Fudan University
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University
- Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine (our page)
- Shanghai General Hospital
- Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University
- Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine
- Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of the China Welfare Institute
- Shanghai Children's Medical Center
- Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital
- Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine
- Huadong Hospital of Fudan University
The list has grown since
By March 2026 the city said 22 public institutions had been approved as pilots (Shanghai government, Mar 2026), a figure China Daily also reported in February 2026. We have not found the names of the newer nine on an official English page, so they are not listed here. Shanghai began a separate pilot for private hospitals in 2020 (Shanghai government, Mar 2026; Jiemian).
International and VIP departments of public hospitals
The government's guide for foreigners working and living in Shanghai lists these departments, with an address and phone number for each. Its list is undated and does not include every pilot hospital (Ruijin, for example, is missing), so check the details with the hospital. As published:
- International Medical Center, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University
- Special Medical Center, Huadong Hospital
- International Medical Care Center, Shanghai General Hospital
- Special Care Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University
- VIP Clinic, Shanghai Children's Medical Center
- VIP Department, International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital
- Special Medical Center, Shu Guang (East) Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai TCM University
- Special Medical Center of Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Special Medical Center of Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine (East)
- Special Medical Center, Shanghai East Hospital of Tongji University
- Special Medical Center, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University (Yixian Hospital)
- International Medical Center, Shanghai Punan Hospital
- Special Medical Center, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital
Private and foreign-invested hospitals
The same government guide has a separate list of major foreign-funded and joint-venture medical institutions in Shanghai, from general hospitals to outpatient clinics and laboratories. It is long and mixes very different kinds of place, so we link it under Sources rather than copy it.
What the lists leave out
None of these lists says which doctors speak English, what a visit costs or which insurers a hospital bills. Hospitals in large cities often run international departments with services in English and other languages, and some offer free translation (China Daily). The UK government's guide adds that English-speaking doctors and nurses may be available in large hospitals but not everywhere, and that some hospitals charge for an English-speaking staff member.
- Ask whether English is available at every step: booking, the consultation, tests, payment and the written report
- Ask whether an interpreter costs extra
- Ask whether reports and invoices can be issued in English
- Ask which insurers the department bills directly
- Ask how to book from abroad, and what the department needs from you first
Paying and emergencies
In an emergency anywhere in China, dial 120 (UK government; Beijing government medical guide). For deposits, cards and insurance, read paying a hospital bill. For published prices, read what a doctor visit, scan or check-up costs.
Sources
- 13 public hospitals named as international medical service pilots (Shanghai government, Sep 2024)
- 22 public institutions approved as pilots (Shanghai government, Mar 2026)
- Pilot list expanded to 22 hospitals (China Daily, Feb 2026)
- Private hospital pilots since 2020, public since 2023 (Shanghai government, Mar 2026)
- Pilots began in private hospitals in 2020 (Jiemian)
- VIP or international division of some Shanghai hospitals (Shanghai government expat guide)
- Major foreign-funded or joint-venture medical institutions in Shanghai (Shanghai government expat guide)
- International departments, English and translation services (China Daily)
- Medical treatment in China: English-speaking staff, 120 emergency number (UK government, Apr 2025)
- Emergency call: 120 across the Chinese mainland (Beijing government medical guide)
Page checked 4 Nov 2026. Prices and rules change; confirm with the hospital or embassy before you book.