China lures foreign patients with cutting-edge, cheap medical care

Stuart Lye, a 58-year-old New Zealander diagnosed with high-risk myeloma, found himself out of options at home. With doctors giving him only three months to live in 2018, and treatments at home extending his life but worsening his health, he looked abroad.

CAR-T immunotherapy, a promising cancer treatment, was not commercially available in New Zealand, and local clinical trials were not for his specific condition. In Australia, the procedure could cost over A$500,000. Fortunately, a fellow patient who had undergone CAR-T treatment in China introduced Lye to a Shanghai hospital.

“

Looking outside of New Zealand for CAR-T was my only option. China was an easy choice as they are at the forefront in research and development, and the treatment is near a 10th of the cost of other countries.

After just 10 days of communication, Lye and his wife decided to travel to China. He underwent a clinical trial for seven weeks, bringing his cancer under control. The entire process, including hospital care and airfare, cost him approximately US$65,000. "Looking outside of New Zealand for CAR-T was my only option," Lye stated. "China was an easy choice as they are at the forefront in research and development, and the treatment is near a 10th of the cost of other countries."

Lye's experience highlights a growing trend of foreigners seeking medical treatment in China. While traditional medical tourism destinations focus on cosmetic surgery or general check-ups, China is differentiating itself by offering advanced procedures. Victor Cao, operations director at Joyful Medical, an agency connecting international patients to Chinese cancer therapies, noted that "There are two reasons why a patient travels for medical treatments: availability of advanced treatments and price." He added, "Chinese people used to travel overseas for treatments that were not available at home, but now the tables have turned."

“

There are two reasons why a patient travels for medical treatments: availability of advanced treatments and price. Chinese people used to travel overseas for treatments that were not available at home, but now the tables have turned.