Chongqing - The Da Zhulin Community Health Service Center in Liangjiang New Area has introduced English training for its medical staff to ensure expatriate residents can easily access free vaccinations, health consultations, and other essential services. 

The Dazhulin Community Health Service Center organized a bilingual training session for its staff. (Photo/Dazhulin Community Health Service Center)

In response to the needs of a transnational family in Da Zhulin, the Community Health Service Center launched a language training program. The initiative was sparked last December when Thai national Ms. Saipan, along with her French husband, gave birth and faced language barriers in accessing healthcare, as neither spoke Chinese.

The center trained three medical professionals in essential medical terminology, appointment procedures, and everyday communication to bridge this gap. This ensures seamless healthcare access for international families, fostering a more inclusive and efficient service experience.

In China, community health centers offer free services for children aged zero to six, including home visits, vaccinations, health check-ups, nutritional assessments, and guidance to prevent illnesses and promote well-being.

During the first home visit, center staff explained medical resources to Ms. Saipan’s family and assigned pediatrician Mu Hao for regular follow-ups, including growth monitoring, immunizations, and feeding advice.

"At the first check-up, the baby was found borderline underweight and shorter than most children her age. We provided tailored feeding and nutrition advice, and within a month, the baby showed improvement in growth," Mu explained. Such interventions address a common challenge new parents face - a lack of experience in proper feeding practices, which may lead to nutritional deficiencies in infants and hinder their growth.

Ms Saipan and her baby took a picture with Mu Hao during a regular Dazhulin Community Health Service Center check-up. (Photo/Mu Hao)

Apart from pediatric care, the center offers family doctor services available for residents, including expatriate residents. “A family doctor is like a medically-trained friend of yours, who provides 24/7 consultations, preliminary diagnoses, and referrals to specialized hospitals if needed,” said Zhao Guoli, the center’s director.

"By breaking language barriers, we hope to help expatriates obtain efficient healthcare services and make them feel supported and belong," Zhao emphasized.

According to Zhao, the center in Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing’s international community hub, has already assisted three expatriate families and plans to expand English-language services across all departments to support more international households.