Indonesian teenager receives preoperative traction at HKU-Shenzhen Hospital

The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital has described the preoperative care of a 15-year-old Indonesian boy with scoliosis. Alan, a pseudonym, was referred by Indonesian spine specialist Luthfi Gatam and came to Tao Huiren, director of the orthopaedic medical centre and head of spine surgery.

Traction before a later operation

At the time of the report, Alan was receiving HALO halo-gravity traction and taking part in breathing exercises. The hospital reported an improvement in his respiratory function during this stage. The team planned surgery for a later appropriate time.

Bilingual care at the international centre

The international medical centre is in Building V. Floor directions, department signs, examination instructions and payment information are labelled in Chinese and English.

The centre provides outpatient, inpatient and health examination services, with clinicians from Hong Kong and mainland China. It has its own endoscopy equipment, CT and MRI. Accommodation includes single rooms, standard suites and larger suites, with some rooms offering terraces and hotel-style facilities. Patients can receive individual bilingual support and personalised clinical plans.

The same account describes a separate Indian patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, treated jointly by Zhang Lijun’s rheumatology team and the ICU. Multiple plasma exchanges and combined treatment were followed by recovery.

Insurance and access to information

The centre reports partnerships with more than 30 domestic and overseas high-end medical insurers for direct settlement. The hospital also describes a bilingual service hotline and medical staff with foreign-language and Cantonese communication skills.

English-language WeChat services, self-service kiosks and patient guides support access. The outpatient and emergency testing service can supply Chinese-English test reports, and foreign-currency exchange machines are available.

Alongside spine care, the hospital reports international patient treatment across paediatrics, oncology, gastrointestinal surgery, cardiology, obstetrics and gastroenterology.