Chongqing - Not long ago, a three-month-old baby boy from Myanmar, struggling with a severe kidney problem, was admitted to the Department of Urology at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. This story is one of many that highlights why an increasing number of international families are turning to Chongqing for world-class pediatric care.
The little boy was diagnosed with hydronephrosis—a condition where urine builds up in the kidneys—first spotted during a prenatal check-up back home. On the advice of a friend, his family made the journey to Chongqing, where Professor Wei Guanghui, a top pediatric urologist, quickly pinpointed the cause: a blockage at the ureteropelvic junction. Left untreated, it could have caused serious kidney damage.
Thankfully, soon after the family arrived, Dr. Zhang Deying, a senior surgeon, performed a minimally invasive laparoscopic pyeloplasty. In simple terms, he fixed the blockage with delicate precision. The surgery was a success, providing another powerful example of why Chongqing is becoming a trusted medical destination for families from around the world.
Dr. Zhang Deying reviewed imaging results with the parents of a 3-month-old patient from Myanmar who was treated for severe ureteropelvic junction obstruction. (Photo/Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University)
Steps towards International care for global patients
This wasn't a one-off case. The Department of Urology at Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital has welcomed children from many countries.
For example, a five-year-old girl from South Africa came in with frequent urination. The team quickly diagnosed her with a vitamin D deficiency — a surprising but accurate diagnosis based on groundbreaking research published by the hospital's doctors in 2024. Their findings, featured in the Journal of Urology, showed that Vitamin D supplementation could help treat certain bladder issues — a discovery now recognized by experts worldwide.
Dr. Wu Shengde, a pediatric urologist, provides postoperative care to a Nigerian infant who underwent successful urethral reconstruction. (Photo/Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University)
In late 2024, the hospital hit a major milestone: it was named one of the first five hospitals in Chongqing authorized to provide international medical services. That was a significant endorsement, positioning the hospital as a go-to destination for patients from nearby regions, including Southeast Asia and beyond. Another heartwarming story involves a baby boy from Nigeria who was born with a congenital penile malformation. Thanks to Dr. Wu Shengde's expert care, the child received a life-changing surgery that simply wasn’t possible back in his home country.
Making it easy for International families
Chongqing's medical development extends beyond clinical expertise. At the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, efforts have been made to create a welcoming environment for international families.
The hospital provides multilingual staff and professional interpretation services to ensure effective communication. A dedicated international patient services team assists families throughout the entire process, from admission to discharge. Additionally, the hospital offers direct billing with a range of international insurance providers, streamlining administrative procedures for patients from abroad.
This means families can focus on what matters most—getting their child the best care—without worrying about confusing paperwork or language barriers.
The urology team performs robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, achieving a precision of 0.3 mm in pediatric urinary tract reconstructions. (Photo/Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University)
The hospital is also making advances in the use of technology to support pediatric care. Its 24/7 Pediatric AI Family Physician service assists families with AI-driven symptom assessment, interpretation of medical reports, general health counseling, and the creation of personalized electronic health records.
The system also helps schedule specialist appointments and provides access to tailored health education materials. Each interaction with the AI updates the child’s health profile in real-time, providing doctors with more comprehensive information to deliver more informed and individualized care.
Chongqing: from a bridge city to a health tech pioneer
Chongqing is renowned for its dramatic skyline and vibrant culture—but today, it's emerging as something even more significant: a rising star in global healthcare. The city's pediatric sector is already making international headlines, with life-saving procedures such as laparoscopic renal-pyeloplasty helping children from around the globe.
With the local government investing heavily in medical and technological infrastructure, Chongqing aims to be not just a top medical tourism destination, but also an innovation leader in medical innovation for Western China. Exciting areas of research currently underway include pediatric regenerative medicine and tissue engineering—fields that have the potential to transform how doctors treat complex childhood diseases in the future.
Chongqing continues to rise as a destination for international patients. (Photo/Visual Chongqing)
Chongqing's healthcare providers understand that international patients come not just for treatments, but for compassion, trust, and respect. By combining advanced healthcare services with a commitment to empathy and professionalism, Chongqing is steadily emerging as a destination for international medical cooperation.
The Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, in particular, continues to strengthen its global outreach, providing families worldwide with access to specialized care in a supportive environment.
The Pediatric Urology Medical Team at the Children's Hospital. (Photo/Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University)
(Li Ni and Zhang Haiyan (intern) also contributed to this report.)