Delegation from US Consulate General Shanghai Visits FAHWMU

On 10th June, a five-member delegation led by Mr. John Larrea, Consular Chief of the US Consulate General Shanghai, along with Ms. Hsiao-Ching Chang, Deputy Chief of the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit, and Ms. Liliana Martinez, Vice Consul of ACS Unit, visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (FAHWMU) for an exchanges. They were accompanied by Ms. Ye Binbin, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Wenzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, and two other colleagues.

        Professor Jin Xiance, Director of the Library and President of the Journal Publishing House of Wenzhou Medical University, and Vice President of FAHWMU, along with directors of the Healthcare Centre, the Party & Administration Office (Legal Affairs Dept), the Medical Affairs (Public Health)Department, the Outpatient Service Department, and the International Cooperation & Exchange Department, attended the exchange session.

        During the meeting, Professor Jin extended a warm welcome to the delegation and provided a comprehensive overview of the hospital’s development, smart healthcare initiatives, clinical applications of artificial intelligence, digital hospital construction, the operation of the International Medical Centre, and medical services for foreign patients. He reaffirmed the hospital’s patient-centred commitment to advancing smart healthcare and improving international service standards, aiming to provide high-quality and compassionate care for patients both at home and abroad.

        Mr. John Larrea spoke highly of the hospital’s comprehensive clinical strengths and international medical service capabilities. Noting the deepening global exchange and cooperation in healthcare, he stressed that the Consulate prioritised ensuring access to medical care for US citizens in China. He pointed out that the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, as a major medical centre in the region, has efficiently handled multiple major emergency response tasks – including pandemic control and mass casualty incidents – building substantial expertise in patient treatment and emergency coordination. He commended the hospital’s medical technology, organisational capacity, and logistic support. Mr. Larrea proposed establishing a dedicated liaison channel, with the hospital’s International Medical Centre acting as the primary contact point, to further improve emergency response efficiency and daily collaboration.

During the visit, the delegation toured the hospital’s South Hall, the Outpatient Clinic Area of the Pain Medicine Center, and the International Medical Clinic, gaining insights into the hospital’s international medical operations and clinical practices. The two sides also held in-depth discussions on visa coordination and improving the medical treatment procedures for foreign nationals, laying a solid foundation for further enhancing the international medical service system.

Previously, delegates from the US Consulate General Shanghai visited the hospital in 2012 and 2024, focusing on the hospital’s capacity to provide emergency and routine medical care for foreign patients. This latest visit serves both as an important reassessment of the hospital’s international medical capabilities and as a fresh impetus for US-China medical and cultural exchanges, as well as practical sub-national cooperation. Looking ahead, the hospital will continue to pursue open cooperation, deepen collaboration with international consulates and medical institutions, further optimise the patient experience for foreign nationals, and help establish itself as a more influential international medical services hub.