An Expat’s Top Choice for Premium Health Care in China

As a Canadian.

I have become accustomed to high-standard medical care that is both affordable and accessible. 

Canada’s health care system has its faults, to be sure, but overall the quality of care is excellent, scheduling works around your life, and as the client you are able to make your own decisions about what type of tests, treatments and procedures you want to go ahead with and which to decline. 

I’ve also appreciated the respectful way in which my home country’s medical system has deferred to me as a patient, offering relevant information, advice and recommendations but leaving final decisions to me. 

As an expat in China.

It’s these kind of options and the autonomy that comes with them that informs the way I have evaluated the health care options on offer locally. 

My experiences here over the last few years have led to me understanding that there is a broad spectrum of health care options available to expats here in Shenzhen and that it’s worth both asking around and looking into services thoroughly before committing to any one clinic or practitioner. 

One of the places recently recommended to me was the HIM Center. 

I don’t have health insurance, so I was looking for a clinic with high standards that is reasonably priced and would be able to cater to the need of my whole family in a single location. 

A few weeks ago. 

I made the trip out to Sea World to check the HIM Center out. Naturally, I arrived with a healthy amount of apprehension and skepticism around how wide the divide might be between what was being offered and advertised and what the reality of the service would actually be. 

For context, here are the nuts and bolts of how HIM presents themselves and the center’s services:

‘HIM Medical Center is located in the Sea World business circle in a 2000-square-meter facility. 

Their services include family medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, pediatrics healthcare and wellness and day surgery.  

They accept health plans offered by most major insurance carriers. They provide comprehensive, integrated healthcare services in a uniquely warm and caring patient-focused environment. Chinese, English, German, French, Urdu, Hindi and Creole services are available.’

A tall order, no doubt. 

The good news was that I was pleasantly surprised to find that the clinic, its staff and its services were as advertised. Making an appointment for my physical – in English, even! – was easy and there were time and date options that worked with my schedule. 

The clinic’s waiting area was clean and comfortable and the reception staff were helpful and spoke great English. 

Another huge plus was that they offered childcare in a playroom adjacent to the waiting room. 

This mean I was able to take my time with my doctor, chat and ask questions instead of feeling rushed or hassled by both my kids wanting to leave.  

After leaving the kids with the childcare staff downstairs at reception, I went upstairs to meet my doctor – an expat who studied in the Middle East and practiced in Europe before relocating to Shenzhen – and take a full battery of tests. 

The clinic has all of the latest testing equipment on-site and get this: 

I had all my results back before I left. 

In two hours’ time I had X-rays, an ultrasound, an ECG test, a series of blood tests and my ears and eyes examined with results in hand before I walked out of the door. 

While nobody loves going to the doctor for a physical – me included – I can say that the whole experience was pleasant and comfortable and as good, if not better, than my experiences at home in Canada. 

Another benefit for those on a benefits plan or with insurance is that HIM bills directly to insurance providers; this makes the payment process seamless and hassle-free, two terms rarely associated with making payments for medical services in China.  

The HIM Center is relatively new to Shekou and not as well-known as some of the other clinics in the area, but after spending a few hours there and having undergone a number of procedures, I would certainly recommend giving them a chance, particularly if you are new to Shenzhen and looking for a Western-style health care experience or if you are unhappy with your current clinic or doctors. 

 Here is their location and contact info: 

Address

1st Floor Haitao Building, No.8 Industrial Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen

深圳市南山区工业大道8号海涛大厦1楼

Opening hours

Monday-Sunday 09:00-18:00

Telephone

0755-87850555

Email

[e-mail]

Website

http://www.himmed.cn/

WeChat

HIM_MEDICALS

To recap. 

Here is what I loved about HIM and why I’m recommending it to my expat friends in Shenzhen: the location and hours are convenient, schedule-friendly and easy to access, the reception and medical staff are professional and communicate easily in English – both on the phone and in person. 

Billing and insurance payment processing are straightforward and simple and the quality of care is far superior to the public services available here in China. 

I want healthcare that meets the standards I am used to in Canada and HIM not only met those expectations, but exceeded them in many ways. 

I feel confident trusting them with both my own and my family’s health needs.  

Author: Lindsay

Editor: Crystal Huang

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