Medical sector expects boost from growing transnational cooperation

International trade and cooperation in medical services will be bolstered by greater numbers of projects in the fields of chronic disease management, assisted reproduction, medical tourism and insurance, according to experts.

During the ongoing fifth China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, or CIFTIS, domestic and foreign medical institutions are showcasing their cross-border programs, products and new technologies at three forums and exhibition booths.

This year's event, held at China National Convention Center in Beijing from Monday through Friday, focuses on business cooperation rather than theoretical discussion, according to Miao Hua, public relations manager at Ciming Health Checkup Management Group, which is headquartered in Beijing.

Ciming Checkup, a Beijing-based physical examination company founded in 2002, demonstrated its health-related products and business layout around the world.

"Beijing has high-quality medical resources and is known as a most advanced city in the concept of preventive health examination," Wang Lu, manager of the brand management center of the company, told China Daily.

The company has developed products with big data and artificial intelligent technology including a health record app and capsule gastroscope robot.

"Internet Plus healthcare" is a direction in the field from now on, Wang said, adding that, "There is no doubt that we should follow up to better serve the public."

To date, the company has expanded its business across the country and in overseas markets, including the United States.

Beijing eHealth Mfine Health Technology, a physical examination company, provides healthcare services in cities. In Beijing, most of its core medical resources are concentrated in public hospitals, said Liu Yongwang, president of the company.

"The State-run medical service suppliers are centralized and highly qualified," Liu said. "Thus, we focus on services complementary to public hospitals," Liu said.

The company has opened promotion outlets, primarily in shopping centers, offering medical checkups and other services, such as dental and respiratory examinations.

A shopping center provides a commonplace consumption setting for family groups in a city, ranging from shopping to fitness, entertainment and education, he said.

"We are looking for diversified resources to further improve our medical services in shopping centers, with an ideal model of providing a home-style health service."

A Chinese recuperation tourism industry alliance is expected to be announced during CIFTIS, as a result of joint efforts from enterprises specializing in the fields of medicine, culture, tourism, sports, real estate and finance.

Also at CIFTIS, the Chinese Medical Doctor Association announced that it would establish an international reproduction assistance service platform that would use the latest innovative technologies to assist couples trying to have children.

Besides importing medical services, the event also aims to bring Chinese medical services to overseas markets, especially countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, said Hu Bo, chairman of Ciming.

"Traditional overseas medical services from China were often short-term. For instance, we have sent doctors to help some patients in Africa and called them back after a few days or weeks," he said. "But what we want to do now is to establish a long-term cooperation in medical services that is good for mutual profit."

Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn and liangkaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn