DeltaHealth Hospital, the first wholly foreign-owned hospital in Shanghai. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]
Thanks to increases in local administrative efficiency, DeltaHealth Hospital Shanghai swiftly passed the review process and received approval from the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission to become the first wholly foreign-owned hospital in Shanghai, as well as the nation's first wholly foreign-owned cardiovascular specialty hospital.
In just two weeks, the Hongqiao International Central Business District (CBD), where the hospital is located, completed the cross-departmental review process, highlighting Shanghai's dedication to enhancing its business environment and opening up to foreign investment.
"The wholly foreign-owned status provides us with greater flexibility, allowing us to quickly respond to market demands and adjust our business strategies," said Jeff Staples, managing director of medical investments at Swire Pacific.
"We will bring in cutting-edge surgical and medical technologies, benchmarking our services against international standards to ensure that patients enjoy world-class healthcare during their treatment, said Sun Lizhong, chief medical officer of DeltaHealth Hospital.
Last November, China launched a pilot scheme to allow wholly foreign-owned hospitals in nine regions, including Shanghai. By March 20, the Ministry of Commerce announced the approval of three new foreign-owned hospitals nationwide, with DeltaHealth Hospital in Hongqiao being the only cardiovascular specialty hospital.
The innovative cross-departmental review mechanism was crucial in expediting the hospital's approval. By streamlining procedures, DeltaHealth swiftly obtained its medical institution practice license. The application was submitted on Feb 26, reviewed on March 3, and the medical license was issued on March 14. The business license was updated, and final project approval was granted on March 21, completing all certifications in record time.
The Hongqiao International CBD Administrative Committee played a key role in the process, coordinating with other departments to provide guidance and support, ensuring a smooth application process for the hospital.
