Before you arrive in Shanghai, you may be concerned about your health and you should be extra aware of your hygiene. Wash your hands before meals and during the day. Also note that toilets in restaurants and public places can be very primitive so you should carry your own tissues. If you are desperate in the middle of the street and need to pay a visit to a toilet, you may consider stepping in to one of the many McDonald’s or KFC’s that are spread all over the city.

Drinking water should never come from the tap unless your home or hotel has a water cleaning filter system – and even then it may advisable to only drink bottled water. Bottled water is widely available all over China and of good quality. Furthermore, most houses come with one or more water dispensers as well and the management offices in the compounds usually provide delivery services of the gallons.

Exercise is the best way to maintain a good health and there are a number of international standard health clubs in Shanghai and as mentioned before, most residences will have access to some sports facilities include in rental.

Whilst no vaccinations are compulsory to enter China, it is advisable to be immunized against poliomyelitis, tetanus, and typhoid. Immunization against Hepatitis A and B is strongly recommended as is stressed below. Most people complete immunization prior to arriving in Shanghai, however immunization is possible upon arrival.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is also a virus and usually causes acute illness, from which it can take 6-12 weeks to recover. It is spread in a similar manner to typhoid and cholera, by contaminated water, food (particularly shell fish) and poor hygiene.

Hepatitis B

This prevalent in Asia as a result of the local population's high incidence of carriers of the virus that causes hepatitis B. It is spread by contact with body fluids including saliva. The virus can live for several days after leaving the body. In the West only certain groups in society are at risk of Hepatitis B (medical workers, drug addicts, the sexually promiscuous, etc.) but the high "carrier rate" in Asia puts everyone at risk. Vaccination against Hepatitis B consists of a series of 3 vaccinations, which gives 5 or more years protection. This is strongly recommended for all people living or traveling in Asia and especially those who are planning to spend more than 12 months in China.

Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis

Although the incidence of Japanese encephalitis in Shanghai has declined in recent years the best precaution is to avoid mosquito bites. Malaria is not a problem in Shanghai although there is some malaria in Southern China. Care should be taken to avoid mosquito bites, especially in rural areas. The risk of mosquito bites is greatest at dusk and at night so it is best to wear a repellent, or cover up well with long sleeves. Perfume, after-shave and dark colored clothing are said to be attractive to mosquitoes. Burning mosquito coils or buying a mosquito net will keep mosquitoes away.

Respiratory Infections

Coughs, colds and sinus trouble are the most common ailments, especially during the winter. Asthmatics and those with chronic chest conditions such as bronchitis may have increased difficulties in China. Many people will be affected by flu’s and colds during the different seasons when ‘flu’ bacteria are brought into the city from the close by Yangzte River.

International hospitals/clinics

The worst thing and greatest worry for most people is getting seriously sick in a foreign country – even worse in a developing country where you do not speak the language and not sure what medication is given to you. Shanghai today has foreign clinics and hospitals with foreign doctors and English speaking staff who will be able to assist you and your family in a crisis situation.

Typically, foreign victims of car accidents or those suffering from other medical emergencies are taken to Chinese hospitals. Patients who require long hospital stays or who are too ill or injured to travel alone on commercial flights, are usually evacuated to hospitals in Hong Kong or Japan, as soon as their condition has stabilized.

SOS
SOS is not represented in Shanghai with own clinic, but has written agreements with six hospitals in Shanghai: Huashan Hospital, International Medical Care Center of Shanghai First People’s Hospital, Rui Jin Hospital, Hua Dong Hospital, Shanghai Medical First Aid Center, and Zhongshan Hospital. All members have 24 hour access to Western doctors, to medical coordinators and to the Hong Kong Alarm Center in Hong Kong via a toll-free telephone number in Shanghai.

 

International SOS Assistance
Bei Xin Leasing Center
1 Bei Street, Xing Fu San Cun
Tel: 010 – 6462 9100 (24 hours) Shanghai Office:
Guangdong Development Bank Tower
11C No. 555, Xu Jia Hui Lu
Tel: 021-6295 0099

If an expatriate has an accident, he will be taken to a Chinese hospital, most likely to one of the six that they cooperate with, since they are the best in Shanghai. Immediately upon presentation of the membership card, the hospital will contact the evacuation company either in Beijing or Hong Kong to start a discussion on how to handle the case.

Shanghai East International Hospital

Shanghai East International Medical Center is the newest international hospital in Shanghai with operation capabilities and individual private VIP rooms for the patients.

They have full-time primary-care and emergency physicians from Europe, Australia, and North America providing experienced, world-class family healthcare and offer extensive on-site capabilities including digital X-ray & mammography, color Doppler ultrasound, EKG, laboratory as well as comprehensive 24-hour in-patient care.

551 Pudong South Rd
200120 Shanghai, China
Tel: 5879 9999
Fax: 6887 1189

Shanghai United Family Hospital

SUH is the newest international hospital to open in Shanghai and is a joint-venture between Chindex International Ic. and Shanghai Changning Central District Hospital and opened its door to patients in Dec 2004. The international team of physicians provides International Healthcare without International Travel, thus making it possible for families in China to enjoy quality healthcare services without having to travel long distances.

Their service field includes expertise within: Primary Care (Family Medicine and Pediatrics), Surgery Department, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Skin Clinic, Dentistry, Laboratory, Pharmacy and Radiology.

1139 Xian Xia Lu
200336 Shanghai
Tel: 5133 1900
Fax:5133 1999

World-Link Shanghai

The World-Link has been in Shanghai since 1996, when the first clinic opened. Today World-Link has 4 clinics in Shanghai and constantly growing, providing medical services to a growing number of expatriates in Shanghai.

World-Link provides a range of medical services to meet your healthcare needs. Their specialties include internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, OB-Gyn, gastroenterology, emergency medicine, travel medicine, physiotherapy, orthopedics, and dermatology.

They can also offer traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal remedies, and their traditional therapies for a holistic approach to healthcare and wellness.

Other medical services include:

On-site urgent care for sutures, casts, oxygen support, heart monitoring, and minor surgery, including 24 hour observation services. Patient pharmacies with over 200 imported and joint-venture medications and vaccinations. On-site diagnostic services including radiology, ultrasound, electrocardiogram (EKG) tracings and interpretation (including stress testing), and audiometry (hearing testing).

They can also offer a full range of dental care services.

Portman Clinic (main clinic)
Suite 203, West Tower, Shanghai Centre
1376 Nanjing West Rd.
Tel: 6279 7688
Fax:6279 7698

Chinese Hospitals

Hua Shan Hospital

The foreign ward of the Huashan Hospital opened in 1990 and it is the hospital most visited by foreigners and supposed to be the best. It is a joint venture with a Hong Kong businessperson, and was the first joint venture clinic for foreigners to open in Shanghai.

The 18th and 19th floors are designated for the foreigners’ clinic in-patient services (with Star TV channels in every room!) and the 19th floor is for outpatient treatments.

The doctors and nurses speak English or Japanese. The clinic has 24 hours emergency medical care and obstetrics/gynecology departments open every Thursday afternoon. In addition the clinic provides imported asthma medications as well as locally made insulin. Credit cards are accepted.

 

12 Wulumuqi Zhong Rd
Tel: 6248 9999

Ruijin Hospital

The Ruijin Hospital foreigners clinic is called the Guangci Clinic. It is located at the rear of the hospital. The clinic is tucked away in the far right corner of the hospital grounds. Directions to the hospital are not clearly marked. After you enter the grounds follow the road all the way until you arrive at the last path on your right, next to the park area. Follow this path to the end then turn left to arrive at the Guangci Clinic.

The receptionists speak English and all the staff speaks English, French or Japanese. The hospital has a 24-hour medical service and the doctors are on call. Patients from the World Link Medical Center are admitted to this clinic if they require hospitalization. RMB cash and US Dollars are accepted. An experienced dermatologist operates Monday to Friday 8.00-16.00. Ask for Prof. Luo Bangguo (ext. 8101).

197 Ruijin Er Rd
Tel: 6437 0045 x 668101

Shanghai Xiangshan Traditional Chinese Medical Center

It is the best place in Shanghai for traditional tuina massage! The clinic has a total of 46 beds for in-patient services and it is among the more reputable in Shanghai. It is associated with the First Medical University of Shanghai. The foreigners’ clinic is a Chinese-Hong Kong joint venture

11 Xiangshan Rd
Tel: 6327 6730

Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC)

SCMC is a modern children’s hospital providing clinical services, teaching and research activities. It is a joint effort between the Shanghai Municipal government and American-based Project HOPE.

At present, the clinical services at SCMC include medicine, cardiology, hematology/oncology, child development & behavioral science, surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, stomatology, ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology & traditional Chinese medicine supported by Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory Departments. Cardiovascular, hematology/oncology, intensive care and emergency medicine, are special features of SCMC to mention a few.

1678 Dongfang Rd, Pudong
Tel: 5873 2020
Website: www.scmc.com.cn