Interpretation of the Notice on Establishing a Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospital

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2014-09-02

I. Background

The National Health and Family Planning Commission has followed the Decision of the CCCPC on Some Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Several Opinions of the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Health Service, as well as requirements of deepening medical and health system reform. It has decided to carry out pilot projects of establishing a wholly foreign-owned hospital to promote health service development and better satisfy the medical needs of the public.

II. Range of pilot work

Pilot projects will be carried out in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan. Foreign investors will be allowed to set up wholly foreign-owned hospitals through mergers, acquisitions or other means.

III. Requirements

1. Foreign investors should be able to independently bear civil liabilities and have experience in medical and health investment and management.

2. The wholly foreign-owned hospitals should meet basic national medical institute standards.

3. Provincial health and family planning administration and business departments will be responsible for reviewing the qualifications of the wholly foreign-owned hospitals.

4. Establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals and related changes should go through standard legal procedures and follow relevant legal requirements.

Establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals should also meet the requirements made by provincial health and family planning administration and business departments.

IV. Implementation

Provincial health and family planning administration and business departments should take steps to open up the medical institute market and control risks in formulating a plan to build wholly foreign-owned hospitals. They should report the plan to the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Ministry of Commerce. The provincial health and family planning administration should supervise and manage wholly foreign-owned hospitals in accordance with the law.

(All information published in this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only. )