| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 14, 2001 |
Private Hospital Makes Debut in Shanghai |
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Shanghai's first private hospital, the Bo'ai (Philanthropism) Hospita, made debut recently. It makes itself stand out in the whole industry by new conception of hospital, good medical care for patients and great success in running business
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New Conception of HospitalEverything here looks new, clean, orderly and cozy. No cold faces behind glass windows, no noisy and crowded corridors, not even anyone in white gowns. You may doubt if you are really in a hospital.
But be assured. You are in Shanghai's first private hospital, the Bo'ai (Philanthropism) Hospital, located at Huaihai Zhonglu Road, downtown Shanghai.
Walking around the hospital, one would find many places that are really beyond his expectation.
The reception desk of the out-patient department is an open counter, instead of the usual glass window with a hole on it. The staff, with smiling faces, wear smart-looking waistcoats, instead of the usual white gowns.
You may also find a reading corner, where patients could takea comfortable seat, reading various magazines offered free.
Inside the rooms, the temperature is controlled by a central air-conditioning system. The beds enable patients to lie in the most comfortable and convenient way they like. It's said one such bed costs over 4,000 yuan (500 U.S. dollars).
Good Medical Care for PatientsPatients here are under 24 hour care. Personal nursery service is available for those who have difficulties in moving around.
Doctors here seems more patient and responsible. And of course, they do not accept tips. Those who dare to do so would surely be sacked.
For all the quality services, the charges here are the cheapest among all hospitals. The charge for a bed at the hospitalized patient department is only 12 yuan a day. The changes behind are more indicative.
Now the hospital receives more than 400 patients. 80 out of 100 professionals hold senior qualifications. The hospital has also signed more than 300 retired medical professors into its medical committee.
Great Success in Running BusinessTwo years ago, when the investor, the Shanghai Bo'ai Medical technology Co., Ltd. bought the hospital at 20 million yuan and spent another 48 million yuan on the decoration work, it had
voluntarily given the management a period to establish its brand name, during which losses would be tolerated.
The investment had proved more successful than they had expected.
In a short time, the hospital, surrounded by many rivals, has made a quite fame.
Its assets have doubled in two years' time. There is a balanced book of accountant and even a small profit, according to Peng Shaocheng, director of the hospital.
Bo'ai's success is surely a welcome story to the ordinary citizens, when soaring medical costs and poor service quality have become a common complaint.
Its impact has been felt by the whole industry, now dominated by state capital and is gradually opening for private and foreign investments.
Staffs at Ruijin, Huashan and other major Shanghai hospitals said increasing competition will push them to improve services if they are to retain their market share.
More competition is surely coming. Shanghai's second private hospital, the Ren'ai (Benevolence) Hospital, invested by a private enterprise from Shenzhen, is now recruiting employees and will open soon.
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