专访北京和睦家医院院长盘仲莹：数量回升、国别多元，跨境医疗旅游成新趋势

Core Viewpoint - The inbound medical tourism sector in China is poised to become a new growth point for the cross-border service industry, driven by favorable policies such as the "240-hour visa-free transit" [1][5]. Group 1: Current Trends in Inbound Medical Tourism - The number of inbound patients is showing a recovery trend, although it has not yet returned to the peak levels of 2019 [3]. - There is a diversification in the nationalities of patients, with significant increases from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America [3]. - Patients are increasingly opting for "scheduled medical care," indicating a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare choices [3][5]. Group 2: Market Potential and Growth - The global medical tourism industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 15% to 25%, with the market size projected to reach $273.72 billion by 2027, up from $104.68 billion in 2019 [5]. - Currently, the primary purpose for patients coming to China is medical treatment, with tourism being a secondary need [5]. Group 3: Challenges and Recommendations - There is a lack of clear development positioning for the inbound medical tourism industry in China, with few successful integration cases [6]. - The establishment of a cross-border medical visa is crucial, as current visa options are inadequate for long-term treatment needs [9]. - Enhanced international promotion and visibility for Chinese medical institutions are necessary to attract more foreign patients [9]. Group 4: Strategic Planning and Policy Recommendations - A top-level design and planning from the national level is essential for the development of inbound medical tourism [10]. - There is a need to clarify the scale of medical resources available in public hospitals for foreign patients to avoid conflicts with local healthcare demands [10]. - The integration of medical tourism into the overall cross-border service industry planning, along with supportive policies, is recommended [10].