Hospital network sees medical tourist numbers increasing

Liu Weiming, an official with the Urumqi health commission, said the platform, which employs the latest internet technology, is designed to be an open and free platform.

The platform, developed by the health commission and Shanghai-based Winning Health Technology Group Co, has so far connected 19 hospitals in Urumqi, 17 hospitals in Kyrgyzstan, two in Georgia and seven in Kazakhstan.

The authorities are aiming to promote the platform to another 40 medical institutes in Xinjiang next year and sign up 100 more hospitals in cities across Central Asia.

Mokhamat, a surgeon at the Xinjiang People's Hospital, which has a partnership with a hospital in Kyrgyzstan, said doctors from the hospital send patients' information to China before their consultation to ensure a smooth process.

"The consultation process is totally free, and we also make sure the treatment fee is the same for both Chinese and foreign patients," Mokhamat said.

One problem is that insurers in Central Asia do not cover the costs of traveling to China for medical treatment, which may put some potential patients off, according to Du Peng, a doctor at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University.

"Many patients want to receive professional treatment in China, but insurance has proved a major challenge," Du said, adding that patients in Central Asian nations generally enjoy free healthcare services.

Liu said the authorities are working with government departments to solve issues involving medical insurance and visas, since most people now travel as tourists.