Medical Guide for Foreigners Travelling in Chengdu

1. Common Traveler Health Issues & Recommended Facilities

Food Poisoning: Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (Public) — 32# W. Sec 2, 1st Ring Rd; avg. wait 30 mins; cost $120-300.

Altitude Sickness: West China Hospital, Int'l Dept (Public) — 37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District; avg. wait 1.5 hours; cost $40-80.

Sprains/Fractures: West China Hospital, Int'l Dept (Public) — 37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District; avg. wait 1 hour; cost $50-150.

Respiratory Infection: West China Hospital, Int'l Dept (Public) — 37 Guoxue Alley, Wuhou District; avg. wait 2 hours; cost $20-60.

Dental Emergency: West China School / Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University (Public) — No. 14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd; avg. wait 45 mins; cost $80-250.

Key Notes: Public hospitals are 30-50% cheaper but have longer waits; private / Int'l Dept facilities offer English service and insurance billing.

2. Emergency Protocols

Call 120 → say "English" → request: West China Hospital International Dept.

3. Pediatric Care Options

(For traveling families)

Chengdu Children's Hospital: general pediatrics; limited English.

West China Women & Children: neonatal care; best for complex cases.

Tip: Book AM appointments (least crowded).

4. Quality & Cost Comparison

Doctor Consultation: public hospital $15-30, private facility $80-150 — 70% savings.

MRI Scan: public hospital $90, private facility $350 — 65% savings.

IV Therapy: public hospital $20, private facility $100 — 80% savings.

Quality Notes: West China Hospital ranks in Newsweek's Top 100 hospitals globally.

5. Must-Save Contacts

Police Medical Assist: dial 110 → say "yīngyǔ yīliáo" (英语医疗 — English medical care).

6. Pro Tips

Use the "Tianfu Health" WeChat mini-program for: real-time ER wait times and medication lookup (CN ↔ EN).

Avoid hospitals during: 8:30-10:30 AM (peak registration) and Monday mornings (longest waits).