HAIKOU, March 19 (Hainan Daily) — From Ulaanbaatar to Haikou, Moscow to Sanya, and as far as Greece and Canada, a growing number of overseas patients are traveling to south China’s island province of Hainan for medical treatment.

With the support of the Hainan Free Trade Port’s opening-up policies and the pilot reforms in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the province is rapidly emerging as a trusted global medical destination.

Access to cutting-edge drugs and devices

One of Hainan’s biggest draws is early access to innovative medicines and medical technologies.

Through special policies, Lecheng has introduced more than 550 international drugs and devices, many of which are used for the first time in China or even Asia. Treatments unavailable elsewhere in the country can be accessed here without delay.

Patients with rare diseases, cancers, and neurological conditions are increasingly choosing Hainan to receive advanced therapies—without having to travel to Europe or the United States.

Advanced medical expertise

Hainan’s top-tier hospitals are also strengthening their clinical capabilities.

From complex pediatric cases to emergency stroke treatment and minimally invasive surgeries, multidisciplinary teams (MDT) are delivering high-level care comparable to international standards.

A Russian tourist suffering an acute stroke in Sanya, for example, received immediate treatment via a “green channel” and recovered within a short time. In another case, a critically ill infant from Mongolia regained independent breathing after comprehensive treatment in Haikou.

Fast and patient-centered services

Efficiency has become a defining feature of Hainan’s healthcare system.

Hospitals have streamlined procedures to enable “diagnosis and treatment upon arrival,” significantly reducing waiting times. In Lecheng, some patients can complete consultation, examination, surgery, and discharge all within a single day.

International clinics, multilingual medical teams, and insurance support further improve accessibility for overseas patients, offering a seamless experience from remote consultation to rehabilitation.

By the numbers

553 special medical products introduced via Lecheng

Over 200,000 patients benefited from early access policies

A growing number of “first-use” drugs and devices in China and Asia

From “seeking treatment abroad” to “zero-time access” at home, Hainan is becoming a key gateway connecting global medical innovation with patient needs.