Page 23 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (118)

SOUTHERN MESSENGERS 22

Healing hands connect China and Nepal

仁心系中尼

At a Chinese-founded international hospital in Kathmandu, ant system for the hospital’s operations.
Xia Chenchen has just finished a consultation. As the founder On July 22, 2022, the Nepal Overseas Friendship Interna-
of the Overseas Friendship International Hospital, she interacts tional Hospital was officially established. However, trials came
daily with patients from around the world, shifting between swiftly during the initial opening period. When the hospital
languages to coordinate her medical team. This very scene is a introduced a “differential pricing system” with fees 30% lower
dream realized—years of pursuit to create an inclusive “haven than market rates, doubts that “cheap means poor quality”
of health” on foreign soil. spread on social media. Others misunderstood the pricing
From childhood, Xia was determined to save lives and heal rules, accusing the hospital of arbitrary charges. During those
the wounded. Her path took her from a bachelor’s in clinical med- days, Xia would often scroll through critical comments on her
icine at Southwest Medical University to a master’s in surgery phone late at night, feelings of grievance and frustration inter-
at Tongji University. It was at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital mingling, even leading to thoughts of giving up or selling the
that she completed the transition from student to doctor, and also hospital.
where she met and married her Nepali husband. She later fol- It was during a series of sincere, late-night conversations
lowed him to Nepal, opening a new chapter in her life. with close friends that she found renewed clarity. They re-
Practicing medicine in a new country proved far more daunt- minded her: “Trust in healthcare is built over time. Don’t let self-paying patients are charged according to Nepal’s Ministry
ing than Xia had imagined. Nepal’s licensing process for foreign temporary misunderstandings steer you from your original of Health benchmark rates, approximately 30% lower than
doctors was notoriously arduous and lengthy, with exceptionally purpose.” comparable private hospitals, while insured patients benefit
stringent criteria. “At times, the entire journey felt almost impossi- In response, Xia began to adjust her strategy. The hospital from streamlined one-stop reimbursement services. This sys-
ble,” Xia recalls. Yet she persisted, devoting four long years to her posted visible notices detailing all fees and appointed dedicat- tem enables full-process coverage from emergency rescue and
work at a leading local international hospital. ed staff to explain policies to patients. It also launched regular admission to diagnosis, treatment, and claims, realizing the
This hard-won experience provided a clear view into the health lectures, using professional knowledge to build bridges goal of a seamless, worry-free medical experience abroad.
local medical system and highlighted the acute needs of Ne- with the community. Gradually, the initial skepticism began As a doctor, entrepreneur, wife, and mother of two, Xia
pali’s Chinese residents. “Many of our compatriots face real to soften into gratitude, as more people came to recognize the admits the path has been demanding. “Switching constantly
difficulties when seeking medical care,” Xia explains frankly. hospital’s sincere commitment. between professional duties and family life tests your physical
“It's not just a language barrier—hospital departments are Today, the Overseas Friendship International Hospital and emotional stamina.” Yet it is through the interplay and
often complex, leaving people confused about registration and stands as a multilingual, multicultural platform for internation- tempering of these very roles that she has built a medical link
procedures.” What saddened her more was that some, unable al healthcare. It is supported by a core team of doctors fluent in between China and Nepal, carrying the warmth of “life knows
to find suitable care, even missed the optimal window for Chinese, Nepali, and English. The hospital boasts over 30 de- no borders” across mountains and seas to all who need it.
treatment. partments—including Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Obstet-
“I finally decided that the only way to break these con- rics & Gynecology—alongside 24/7 emergency services and
straints was to establish my own hospital,” Xia recalls. an ICU. It serves a patient mix of 30% Chinese compatriots,
Hurdles stacked up during the hospital’s preparation. Just 30% local Nepalis, and 40% from various other countries.
obtaining the required licenses consumed enormous energy— The hospital operates on a clear two-tier pricing model:
the main operational license was only the beginning, followed
by a series of additional permits for the pharmacy, dental, and
gynecology departments, each with its own stringent rules and
complex processes. By navigating this regulatory gauntlet step
by step, Xia methodically established a complete and compli-