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What to Do in Case of a Medical Emergency

Ikky Ma June 7, 2025
What to Do in Case of a Medical Emergency in China

China’s complex healthcare system can be challenging to navigate during emergencies.

This comprehensive guide provides critical information for accessing medical care, understanding hospital procedures, and ensuring effective treatment across different regions of China.

Emergency Contact Numbers

ServiceNumberLanguage SupportCoverage
Ambulance120Primarily Chinese, limited English in major citiesNationwide
Police110Primarily ChineseNationwide
Fire Department119Primarily ChineseNationwide
Public Health Hotline12320ChineseHealth information and guidance
Shanghai Emergency021-962120English availableShanghai only
Beijing Emergency010-999Limited EnglishBeijing only

Important Note: All calls are free, but prepare key information in Chinese or have translation assistance ready.

Essential Information for Emergency Calls

When calling 120, provide:

  • Location: Exact address or nearest landmark (in Chinese characters if possible)
  • Nature of emergency: Injury, illness, symptoms
  • Patient condition: Conscious/unconscious, breathing, bleeding
  • Contact number: For callback
  • Language needs: Request English-speaking operator if available

Understanding China’s Hospital System

Hospital Tiers and Classifications

TierDescriptionQuality LevelCostEnglish Support
三甲 (Grade 3A)Top-tier public hospitalsHighest medical standardsModerateLimited to international departments
Grade 3B/2ARegional hospitalsGood medical careLowerMinimal
International HospitalsPrivate, foreigner-focusedHigh service qualityExpensiveExcellent
Community ClinicsBasic healthcareLimited capabilitiesLowestNone

Major International Hospitals by City

Beijing

  • Beijing United Family Hospital – 010-5927-7000
  • Oasis International Hospital – 010-6449-9669
  • International SOS Clinic – 010-6462-9100

Shanghai

  • Shanghai United Family Hospital – 021-2216-3900
  • Parkway Health – 021-6445-5999
  • Shanghai East International Medical Center – 021-5879-9999

Guangzhou

  • Guangzhou United Family Hospital – 020-3128-2000
  • Clifford Hospital – 0752-509-9999

Shenzhen

  • Shenzhen United Family Hospital – 0755-8529-8300
  • University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital – 0755-8691-3333

Source: International SOS

Emergency Response Procedures

Life-Threatening Emergencies

Call 120 immediately for:

  • Heart attack or chest pain
  • Stroke symptoms
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Major trauma or bleeding
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Difficulty breathing

Non-Life-Threatening Situations

Consider direct hospital visit for:

  • Minor injuries
  • Fever without severe symptoms
  • Digestive issues
  • Minor cuts requiring stitches

Transportation Options

MethodProsConsBest For
Ambulance (120)Medical equipment, trained staffTraffic delays, communication barriersLife-threatening emergencies
TaxiUsually fasterNo medical equipmentStable patients, urgent care
DiDi/Ride-sharingApp-based, GPS trackingDriver may refuse medical situationsNon-emergency urgent care
Private ambulanceEnglish support, fasterExpensive, limited availabilityInternational hospital patients

Hospital Procedures and What to Expect

Registration Process

  1. Bring required documents: Passport, insurance card, emergency contact
  2. Complete registration form: Basic information and medical history
  3. Payment deposit: Required before treatment begins
  4. Triage assessment: Medical staff determine priority level
  5. Treatment assignment: Directed to appropriate department

Payment Methods and Costs

Payment TypeAccepted WhereRequirements
Cash (RMB)All hospitalsHave sufficient amount
WeChat Pay/AlipayMost hospitalsChinese bank account
International Credit CardsInternational hospitals onlyVisa/Mastercard preferred
Insurance Direct BillingPartner hospitalsPre-authorization required

Typical Emergency Room Costs (RMB)

ServicePublic HospitalInternational Hospital
Registration10-50500-1,000
Basic consultation50-200800-1,500
X-ray100-300500-800
Blood tests200-500600-1,200
CT scan500-1,0002,000-4,000
Emergency surgery5,000-50,000+20,000-200,000+

Costs vary significantly by location and complexity

Overcoming Language Barriers

Essential Medical Phrases

EnglishChinese (Pinyin)Chinese Characters
I need a doctorWǒ xūyào yīshēng我需要医生
I’m having an emergencyWǒ yǒu jíjí qíngkuàng我有急急情况
Call an ambulanceJiào jiùhùchē叫救护车
I’m allergic to…Wǒ duì… guòmǐn我对…过敏
I take medication for…Wǒ chī yào zhìliáo…我吃药治疗…
I have pain hereWǒ zhèlǐ téng我这里疼

Translation Resources

  • Google Translate (download offline Chinese package)
  • Pleco Dictionary – Medical terminology
  • Youdao Translate – Popular in China
  • Microsoft Translator – Real-time conversation mode

Insurance and Financial Considerations

Insurance Types

Insurance TypeCoverageHospitals AcceptedClaim Process
Chinese Social InsuranceLimited for foreignersPublic hospitalsDirect billing
International Health InsuranceComprehensiveInternational hospitalsReimbursement/direct billing
Travel InsuranceEmergency onlyVariesReimbursement
Employer InsuranceVariesPartner hospitalsCheck policy details

Key Insurance Providers for Expats

  • Cigna Global – cigna.com
  • Allianz Care – allianzcare.com
  • Bupa Global – bupa-global.com
  • International SOS – internationalsos.com

Regional Considerations

Tier 1 Cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen)

  • Advantages: Better facilities, English support, international hospitals
  • Challenges: Higher costs, crowded hospitals
  • Recommendation: Use international hospitals for serious emergencies

Tier 2/3 Cities

  • Advantages: Lower costs, less crowded
  • Challenges: Limited English support, fewer advanced facilities
  • Recommendation: Consider medical evacuation for serious conditions

Rural Areas

  • Limited facilities: Basic emergency care only
  • Language barriers: Minimal English support
  • Transportation: Medical evacuation may be necessary

Common Health Risks and Prevention

Environmental Health Concerns

RiskAffected AreasPreventionEmergency Response
Air PollutionNorthern citiesAir purifiers, masksRespiratory issues – seek immediate care
Food SafetyNationwideEat at reputable placesSevere food poisoning – hospital required
Water QualityVariableBottled water onlyWaterborne illness – medical attention
Infectious DiseasesRegionalVaccinations, precautionsFever/symptoms – immediate testing

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Essential Documents (Keep Copies)

  • [ ] Passport and visa
  • [ ] Insurance cards and policy details
  • [ ] Emergency contacts (Chinese and international)
  • [ ] Medical history and current medications
  • [ ] Blood type and allergy information
  • [ ] Hospital and clinic contact information

Emergency Kit Contents

  • [ ] Basic first aid supplies
  • [ ] Personal medications (3-month supply)
  • [ ] Thermometer
  • [ ] Emergency cash (5,000-10,000 RMB)
  • [ ] Translation app with offline capability
  • [ ] Portable phone charger

Digital Preparation

  • [ ] Download offline maps
  • [ ] Save hospital contacts in phone
  • [ ] Install Chinese payment apps
  • [ ] Download translation apps
  • [ ] Store insurance details in cloud

Legal Rights and Patient Protection

Patient Rights in China

  • Right to emergency treatment regardless of payment ability
  • Right to informed consent (with translation if needed)
  • Right to medical records and reports
  • Right to second opinions
  • Right to file complaints about medical care

Medical Malpractice

  • Contact your consulate for legal assistance
  • Document all treatment and communications
  • Seek legal counsel from firms specializing in medical cases
  • Consider medical evacuation for complex cases

Post-Emergency Procedures

Medical Records

  • Request copies in English when possible
  • Obtain official stamps and signatures
  • Keep all payment receipts
  • Get detailed treatment summaries

Insurance Claims

  • Notify insurance provider within 24-48 hours
  • Collect all medical reports and receipts
  • Submit claims promptly
  • Follow up on claim status regularly

Follow-up Care

  • Confirm medication availability for ongoing treatment
  • Schedule follow-up appointments
  • Consider medical evacuation for complex ongoing care
  • Maintain communication with home country physicians

Specialized Emergency Situations

Mental Health Crises

  • Beijing Crisis Intervention Hotline: 400-161-9995
  • Shanghai Mental Health Center: 021-3428-9888
  • Note: Mental health services limited; consider evacuation for serious conditions

Pregnancy and Childbirth

  • International hospitals recommended
  • Ensure insurance covers maternity
  • Consider medical evacuation for high-risk pregnancies

Pediatric Emergencies

  • Children’s hospitals available in major cities
  • Beijing Children’s Hospital: 010-59616161
  • Shanghai Children’s Medical Center: 021-3862-6161

Resources and References

Official Sources

  • Chinese Ministry of Health – moh.gov.cn
  • Your Country’s Embassy/Consulate – Contact information varies
  • International SOS Country Guide – internationalsos.com

Medical Evacuation Services

  • International SOS – 24/7 helpline
  • Global Rescue – globalrescue.com
  • Allianz Global Assistance – allianzglobalassistance.com

Expat Communities and Support

  • Beijing Expat Groups – WeChat and Facebook communities
  • Shanghai Expat Network – Local support groups
  • Guangzhou Expat Community – Resource sharing

Emergency Action Plan Template

Print and keep with you:

  1. In case of emergency, call: 120
  2. My nearest hospital: _______________
  3. My insurance provider: _______________
  4. Emergency contact: _______________
  5. My blood type: _______________
  6. My allergies: _______________
  7. My medications: _______________

Remember: Stay calm, communicate clearly, and don’t hesitate to seek help. When in doubt, get medical attention immediately.

About the Author

Ikky Ma

Administrator

This page features all articles and posts by Ikky, the owner of the blog named ikkyinchina.com

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