International SOS - Meeting Your Health Care Needs

Different parts of China now boasts several world-class hospitals and clinics, which offer a high standard of both Chinese and Western medical care with multi-lingual Doctors from North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  The hospitals and clinics can take care of all your health care needs, from primary medical needs to any unforeseen emergencies. 

One of the most popular medical facilities used by foreigners and PRC Study students is the International SOS, which provides 24 hours medical services.  Please read below for more information.  

International SOS (ISOS), the world's largest medical assistance company, is located in 44 countries with over 25 Alarm Centers, 20 International Clinics and more than 100 remote site medical facilities across 5 continents. The ISOS Clinic in Beijing, China opened in December 1994 and is run by a highly trained and specialized team of professionals who ensures that all ISOS patients receive quality, comprehensive medical care while in China. ISOS gives you access to medical advice and assistance 24 hours a day by foreign doctors located in China.

The ISOS medical team comprises of foreign doctors, Chinese doctors and nurses. ISOS Clinic in Beijing has 13 Expatriate Doctors, 3 Expatriate Dentists, 15 Resident Chinese Doctors, 20 Chinese Nurses, and 2 Expatriate Nurse Escorts, along with many other support and administration staff. The ISOS Clinic in Beijing currently has 80 Employees supporting the 24-hour alarm center.

All ISOS doctors are familiar with international medical protocols and have worked extensively in the field of accident and emergency. The ISOS medical team is constantly in a state of preparedness, every ready to provide the best in health care.

The ISOS Clinic in China adheres to international standards of infection control and sterilization to ensure the highest level of patient safety possible. ISOS's commitment to providing quality health care is demonstrated through their ongoing education programs for medical, nursing and support staff. ISOS has a Medical Clinic, Dental Clinic and Alarm Center adjacent to each other enabling the best provision of western medical assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for:

Emergencies Medical Advice Doctor Referrals Vaccination Recommendations Travel Health Advice Referrals to Hospitals throughout China House Calls Translation Services

• 24 hour Primary Care (Family Medicine and Emergency)
• Dental Clinic
• Physiotherapy Services
• Counseling Services
• On-site Pharmacy
• 6 Bed Emergency Ward
• In-house Laboratory
• X-Ray Rooms
• 14 Examination Rooms
• Ultrasound Equipment
• Electro-cardiograph Monitoring Equipment
• International Standard Ambulance Health Screening Services
• First Aid Training and First Aid Kits

ISOS has friendly, western trained staff who understand the needs of the expatriate community and who are committed to providing the highest quality of medical services available in China.

Within the clinic, primary medical care services include: pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, family medicine (family practice consultations with expatriate and Chinese doctors and nurses), dentistry, physiotherapy, emergency medicine, a comprehensive range of vaccination services, in-house laboratory, and a western pharmacy stocked with an extensive range of international standard medications and disposables.

The ISOS pharmacies are stocked with a comprehensive range of medications that comply with international standards.  An extensive range of adult and childhood vaccinations and over the counter medications are also available onsite.

ISOS has friendly, western trained staff who understand the needs of the expatriate community and who are committed to providing the highest quality of medical services available in China.

Within the clinic, primary medical care services include: pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, family medicine (family practice consultations with expatriate and Chinese doctors and nurses), dentistry, physiotherapy, emergency medicine, a comprehensive range of vaccination services, in-house laboratory, and a western pharmacy stocked with an extensive range of international standard medications and disposables.

The ISOS pharmacies are stocked with a comprehensive range of medications that comply with international standards.  An extensive range of adult and childhood vaccinations and over the counter medications are also available onsite.

This program is specially designed and organized by ISOS specialist doctors in recognition of the special needs of women and their families. Services include: prenatal services, gynecological consultations and assessments, obstetric consultations, parent and child health services, pediatrics, and baby care.

With a fully equipped dental laboratory, dental care treatments are carried out with the state of the art equipment and the strictest sterilization procedures. Services include: annual check up, annual cleaning, root canal treatment, crown and bridgework, dental implants, tooth extraction, periodontal gum maintenance, implanted wisdom tooth removal, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, trauma/emergency dental services, aesthetic dentistry, and orthodontic services.

Comprehensive medical examinations covering a range of needs are available, including: pre-employment health screening, health screening for government adoption and immigration, general health screening and occupational health check ups. ISOS can also develop customized programs to meet specific client needs.

ISOS also provides additional health care services in the following areas:  Physiotherapy, optometry, counseling, occupational therapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

The ISOS is available to take care of any unanticipated medical emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You can call the ISOS Alarm Center for:

Emergency & Routine Medical Advice
For prompt professional help and medical advice, members can call the ISOS 24 hour Alarm Center in China or worldwide

Medical, Dental & Hospital Referrals Call the ISOS 24 hour Alarm Center for referral to a doctor, dentist or hospital nearest you.  They can even help arrange hospital admission for inpatient case management, if required.

Inpatient Case and Out Patient Management
ISOS can arrange hospital admission for inpatient case management, if required.  Additionally, they can set up an outpatient appointment with a medical service provider.

Dispatch of Medication and Medical Equipment
ISOS will assist to deliver medicine, drugs and/or medical supplies if a patient requires prescription medication that is unavailable locally.

Emergency Message Transmission
ISOS will receive and transmit emergency messages between family and the member on a best effort basis.

Emergency Translation and Interpreter Services
ISOS can provide translation and interpretation assistance if required.  Language capabilities include English, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Afrikaans, and Farsi. 

Companion Ticket
ISOS will coordinate emergency travel arrangements for family members who need to join a hospitalized member. The costs of travel services are the responsibility of the client.

Return of Minors
If dependent children are left unattended abroad as a result of a partient's accident or illness, ISOS will coordinate emergency travel arrangements.

Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
When local medical facilities are inadequate for a member's condition, ISOS can arrange for the patient's evacuation to the nearest medical facility available which is expected to provide satisfactory care and treatment. ISOS may also arrange for repatriation back to the patient's home country when this is warranted.

Repatriation of Mortal Remains
ISOS will render every possible assistance to transfer the patient's mortal remains back home.

For Non Medical Assistance

• Lost document advice and assistance
• Legal referrals, assistance with documentation for insurance claims
• Special translation and interpreter services

International SOS has also developed an extensive network of medical and administrative correspondence in all of the major cities in China. The Beijing Alarm Center is able to ship medications to remote locations, provide telephone advice, and guarantee medical expenses anywhere in the country where acceptable medical resources are available. International SOS has an exclusive agreement with the Ground and Air Force Divisions of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which provides International SOS:

1. Access to Chinese Military aircraft enabling
2. Medical teams to reach areas in China, which are out of bounds to civilian aircraft.
3. Access to Military Aircraft for Medical Transport: Fixed Wing, helicopter, and Challenger Jets under internationally supervised maintenance.
4. Access to Military Hospitals, many located in remote regions and often better equipped and staffed than civilian facilities.

In the event of emergency, you can call ISOS.  ISOS doctors must be alerted immediately of your emergency and to be involved from the very beginning. Once you call the Alarm Center, the ISOS doctor might have first to stabilize you in one of their partnering Chinese hospitals. Then they will get in touch with the hospital to arrange for your admission.

The ISOS medical team will assess the case and arrange for your medical evacuation or repatriation from the place of accident or sickness to the nearest medical facility responding to a reasonable expectation of satisfactory care and treatment. All of the above is to be done in conjunction with your insurance provider. International SOS will not pay for a medical evacuation if it is required, your health insurance will need to cover medical evacuation costs.

ISOS has four clinics in China which are located in Beijing, Tianjing, Nanjing, Shekou.  Please see below for contact information.

Beijing International SOS Clinic

Tianjin International SOS Clinic

Nanjing International SOS Clinic

Shekou, Shenzhen International SOS Clinic

ISOS has three Alarm Centers in China.  If you have any questions of a medical nature, or are sick, please call one of International SOS's 24 Hour Alarm Centers and request to speak to a doctor.

Beijing:            (8610) 6462-9100

Shanghai:        (8621) 6295-0099

Hong Kong:      (852) 2528-9900

ISOS takes care of all your health care needs, from basic primary medical needs to any unforeseen emergencies, which may arise during your stay in China.
The ISOS regular clinic hours are from Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by contacting the ISOS 24 hours Alarm Centers.

For further information, please visit: http://www.internationalsos.com

NOTE: Although this information is correct at the time of our web publication, it is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm the address before going to the venue because some venues may have changed their telephone numbers or address locations.