On March 26, the Guangdong Provincial Health Commission, Guangdong Provincial Healthcare Security Bureau, and Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration jointly announced the first group of International Healthcare Service Pilot Hospitals in Guangdong Province. A total of 25 hospitals across Guangdong Province were selected for the pilot program. 

With years of dedication to international healthcare services and outstanding comprehensive advantages, Clifford Hospital successfully stood out among numerous applicants and was selected as one of the representative high-quality private hospitals. This milestone marks another significant step forward in the hospital’s international development strategy and enables deeper integration into the healthcare cooperation and development framework of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

Strict Selection of Pilot Hospitals: Building a High-quality, Diversified International Healthcare Network

International healthcare services are designed to provide high-quality and sustainable medical care for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, foreign nationals, overseas Chinese, and other self-paying patients or individuals covered by international commercial insurance, based on internationally recognized medical technology standards, service procedures, management systems, and payment models.

With its high-quality healthcare capabilities and strategic location within the core area of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangdong has attracted an increasing number of international patients seeking medical services in recent years, according to an official from the Guangdnog Provincial Health Commission. Statistics show that in 2025, the number of foreign patients receiving medical services in Guangdong increased by more than 20% year-on-year, with inpatient service demand growing by 76.05%. The establishment of international healthcare service pilot programs can not only to attract overseas healthcare demand but also to better meet the diverse medical needs of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan residents, foreign nationals, and domestic patients. It will further promote healthcare integration within the Greater Bay Area and enhance Guangdong’s competitiveness in international healthcare services. 

The selection of the first group of pilot hospitals followed the principle of “selecting only the best among the best”. Hospitals underwent multiple evaluation stages, including application, online presentation, on-site assessment, and collective review. The selected hospitals are primarily located in the Pearl River Delta region, covering provincial-level hospitals, renowned traditional Chinese medicine institutions, leading municipal hospitals, and high-quality private medical institutions. With a well-balanced distribution and diverse types, these hospitals will serve as the backbone of Guangdong’s international healthcare development and will focus on six key areas:

• Establishing international healthcare demonstration zones; 
• Developing internationally standardized healthcare management systems; 
• Innovating cross-border medical payment service models; 
• Promoting clinical application of advanced medical technologies; 
• Exploring cross-border internet-based healthcare services; 
• Strengthening international healthcare operation and management capabilities. 

International Healthcare's Practice at Clifford Hospital: Years of Experience Serving Patients Worldwide

According to Zhang Tao, CEO of Guangdong Clifford Hospital, since its establishment in 2001, the hospital has consistently pursued an international development strategy, and became the first large-scale tertiary Grade A hospital integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine hospital to receive JCI accreditation in China. In recent years, the hospital has been successively approved as:

• A designated medical institution under the “Hong Kong and Macao Approved Drugs and Medical Devices Access Scheme”; 
• A mainland pilot institution for the Hong Kong Elderly Healthcare Voucher Scheme; 
• The first private hospital accredited in China under the International Hospital Accreditation Standards (China) in early 2026.

Comprehensive Medical Services with International Standards

Over the years, Guangdong Clifford Hospital has developed a distinctive healthcare model integrating Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Natural Medicine, providing patients with holistic, patient-centered medical services.

The hospital has established a number of specialized centers of excellence, including personalized cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, TCM-based preventive healthcare, precision minimally invasive surgery, comprehensive precision oncology, integrated rehabilitation combining Western and Chinese medicine, and innovative elderly care services that integrate medical treatment with long-term care.

To support precision diagnosis and treatment, the hospital is equipped with a wide range of internationally advanced medical technologies and equipment, including the M6 CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System, PET/CT, 256-slice Spectral CT, and 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems. These advanced technologies provide strong support for accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

International Patient Services

To better serve local and overseas patients, Guangdong Clifford Hospital has established a dedicated International and Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan Customer Service Center, providing multilingual appointment coordination, medical consultation, interpretation, and patient navigation throughout the entire treatment journey.

The hospital has established direct billing partnerships with 39 international insurance companies for international commercial insurance. It has also established a International Medical Center which integrate outpatient services, inpatient care, health examinations, and preventive medicine into a comprehensive healthcare system.

Patients here have access to multidisciplinary team (MDT) consultations, priority access to diagnostic and therapeutic services, dedicated patient coordinators, and customized international meal services designed to meet diverse cultural and dietary preferences. These comprehensive support services ensure that international patients receive a seamless and patient-centered healthcare experience. 

Global Academic Collaboration

Guangdong Clifford Hospital maintains close academic partnerships with internationally recognized universities and medical institutions, including McGill University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Jinan University. The hospital organizes more than 30 international academic conferences and professional exchange activities each year, continuously promoting international collaboration in clinical medicine, medical education, scientific research, and healthcare management. These long-term partnerships have further strengthened the hospital's international reputation and enhanced its ability to provide healthcare services that meet globally recognized standards. 

Serving Patients from Around the World

Since its establishment, Guangdong Clifford Hospital has received more than one million patient visits from Hong Kong and Macao, and has welcomed patients from over 180 countries and regions worldwide. For many consecutive years, the hospital has been rated as "Hongkongers’ Most Trusted Medical Institution in Chinese Mainland," reflecting its long-standing reputation for clinical excellence, high-quality patient care, and international healthcare services. 

Looking Ahead

According to Zhang Tao, CEO, being selected as one of Guangdong Province's first International Healthcare Service Pilot Hospitals represents not only recognition of the hospital's long-term commitment to international development but also an important responsibility. Looking ahead, Guangdong Clifford Hospital will continue to implement the objectives of the pilot program. While maintaining its commitment to public healthcare responsibilities, the hospital will further strengthen its international healthcare capabilities and provide higher-quality, more efficient, and more convenient medical services for residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, international patients, and individuals seeking premium healthcare services.

By continuously enhancing international service capabilities and expanding cross-border healthcare cooperation, Guangdong Clifford Hospital is committed to contributing to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a world-class healthcare hub and supporting Guangdong's vision of becoming a globally recognized destination for high-quality medical services.