Ruijin Hospital Hainan Shanghai Top-3 Standards with Lecheng Early-Access Medicines
Ruijin Hospital Hainan is the Hainan branch of Ruijin Hospital Shanghai — one of China's top-3 academic medical centres. Operating within the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone since 2020, it combines Ruijin's clinical excellence in oncology, haematology, and rare diseases with a regulatory framework that allows overseas-approved drugs and medical devices to be administered 2–3 years before their NMPA approval in mainland China.
Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, Qionghai, Hainan — ~25 min from Boao Airport
Quick Facts
Payment
RMB — paid directly to hospital; Lecheng pricing
Consultation
In-person · proxy consultation via China Care
Advance booking
1–2 weeks minimum
Drug access
Overseas-approved medicines · 2–3 yr pre-NMPA
Visa policy
Visa-free entry for 59+ countries into Hainan
Top-3
Ruijin Hospital ranking nationally
2–3yr
Pre-NMPA overseas drug access
2020
Year opened in Lecheng Zone
About the Hospital
Shanghai Ruijin, Now Accessible via Hainan
Ruijin Hospital (Ruijin Shanghai) holds a national ranking in the top three Chinese hospitals, with particular strength in haematology, endocrinology, general internal medicine, and complex oncology. Its Hainan branch — Ruijin Hospital Hainan (瑞金医院海南医院) — was established in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in 2020, bringing the same clinical standards to a location that benefits from the zone's unique regulatory policy.
The Lecheng zone was established by the Chinese government to allow overseas-approved drugs and medical devices to be used 2–3 years before they receive NMPA approval in mainland China. This is the key clinical differentiator of Ruijin Hainan: patients can access treatments that are already approved and proven in the US, EU, or Japan but not yet available at any other hospital in China.
Lecheng Zone Policy: Overseas-approved drugs & devices usable 2–3 years before NMPA mainland approval
Hainan island also allows visa-free entry for nationals of 59+ countries, simplifying arrival for international patients compared to the medical visa process required for mainland Chinese hospitals. For cancer treatment in China and complex rare disease care, this combination — world-class clinical standards, early-access medicines, and straightforward entry — makes Ruijin Hainan a compelling access point.
"For patients seeking the standards of a top-3 Chinese academic hospital alongside access to medicines not yet available anywhere else in China, Ruijin Hainan represents a genuinely unique option within the healthcare landscape."
Why Patients Choose Ruijin Hospital Hainan
Three reasons international patients choose Ruijin Hainan
Shanghai Top-3 Standards in Lecheng
Ruijin Hospital is the parent institution and consistently ranks among China's top three hospitals in haematology, endocrinology, and internal medicine. The Hainan branch operates under Ruijin's clinical protocols, with specialist physicians from the Shanghai main campus involved in complex case management. International patients receive clinical care aligned with the same standards as patients at the main Ruijin campus in Shanghai.
Early-Access Medicines — 2–3 Years Pre-NMPA
Under the Lecheng zone policy, Ruijin Hainan can administer drugs and devices that have received approval from the US FDA, EMA (EU), or Japan's PMDA but have not yet completed NMPA approval in mainland China. For oncology and rare disease patients, this can mean access to newer targeted therapies, immunotherapy combinations, or rare disease treatments that are simply not available at any other Chinese hospital — including the main Ruijin campus in Shanghai. This is the most clinically significant advantage of the Lecheng zone.
Rare Disease Specialisation
Ruijin Shanghai has built decades of expertise in haematological and endocrinological rare diseases. The Hainan branch inherits this diagnostic and management capability in a setting where the drug access policy is particularly relevant for rare conditions — since drugs for rare diseases are among the most likely to be approved internationally years before NMPA mainland listing. For patients with unusual diagnoses requiring specialist input and potentially cutting-edge therapeutics, Ruijin Hainan combines the right expertise with the right access.
Clinical Departments
Specialties Available at Ruijin Hospital Hainan
Ruijin Hainan covers Ruijin Shanghai's core clinical strengths within the Lecheng zone framework. All specialties below can potentially benefit from the early-access drug policy.
Primary Focus
Oncology — Advanced & Refractory
Complex and refractory solid tumour oncology where access to newer targeted agents or immunotherapy combinations not yet on the NMPA list is clinically relevant. Particularly suited to patients who have exhausted standard-of-care options at home and are seeking treatments available in the US or EU.
Ruijin Shanghai is nationally recognised for haematology, including leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and rare haematological conditions. The Hainan branch provides access to Ruijin's haematology expertise alongside potential early access to newer haematological drugs not yet NMPA-approved.
LymphomaLeukaemiaMyelomaMPN
Also Available
Rare & Complex Diseases
Complex diagnoses including rare autoimmune conditions, rare metabolic diseases, and difficult-to-diagnose systemic disorders. Ruijin's long history as a leading academic hospital has built subspecialty expertise across a broad range of rare conditions where the Lecheng drug access policy can be directly relevant.
AutoimmuneRare MetabolicEarly-Access Drugs
Also Available
Endocrinology
Ruijin Shanghai holds a national top-three ranking in endocrinology. Conditions treated include complex diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal diseases, pituitary conditions, and metabolic syndrome. The Hainan branch maintains this sub-speciality with access to Ruijin Shanghai expertise for complex cases.
DiabetesThyroidAdrenal Disease
Also Available
Gastroenterology
Diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterology including complex inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease management, and GI cancer follow-up. For patients with complex gastroenterological presentations, Ruijin Hainan provides specialist input in a zone with access to newer biological treatments.
IBDLiver DiseaseGI Endoscopy
Access via China Care
Need early-access treatment not yet in China?
China Care can check whether your specific treatment is available under the Lecheng zone policy and coordinate your case with Ruijin Hainan.
China Care manages the full referral and coordination process, including proxy consultation before you travel.
Step 1
Submit Your Case to China Care
Share your diagnosis, pathology, imaging, and any previous treatment records. For patients interested in a specific Lecheng-zone early-access treatment, include details of the drug or device you have been advised may be available under the zone scheme. China Care prepares a bilingual case summary within 1–2 working days.
records review · 1–2 days
Step 2
China Care Conducts a Proxy Consultation on Your Behalf
China Care attends Ruijin Hainan in person and consults with the relevant specialist on your behalf — before you travel. The specialist reviews your bilingual case summary and provides a treatment recommendation. For cases involving early-access medicines under the Lecheng zone policy, the doctor will confirm eligibility at this stage. China Care reports the outcome back to you.
Already in China or already in Hainan? Skip this step — China Care can arrange direct escort and interpretation for your own visit instead.
proxy consultation · fixed fee · Lecheng drug eligibility confirmed
Step 3
Travel to Hainan — Visa-Free for 59+ Countries
International patients from over 59 nationalities can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days. This is a significant practical advantage compared to mainland Chinese hospital access, which requires a formal medical visa. China Care advises you on the applicable entry rules based on your nationality. Fly into Boao Airport or Haikou Meilan International Airport.
visa-free 59+ nationalities · 30-day entry
Step 4
In-Person Consultation & Treatment at Ruijin Hainan
Your in-person specialist consultation confirms the treatment plan. Treatment is then delivered according to the agreed schedule. All treatment fees are paid directly to the hospital in RMB. Lecheng-zone pricing applies. A deposit is typically required on admission.
in-person consultation · RMB direct to hospital
Step 5
Treatment Completion & Follow-Up
End-of-treatment review, bilingual discharge documentation, and a structured follow-up plan. China Care ensures all records are prepared in a format compatible with your home clinician's requirements, including documentation of any Lecheng zone drugs administered.
bilingual discharge · post-treatment support
Lecheng zone early-access medicinesVisa-free entry 59+ countriesProxy consultation (fixed fee)Shanghai Ruijin clinical standardsRMB payment direct to hospitalBilingual coordinationBilingual discharge documentation
Before You Travel
What international patients need to know
Payment
RMB — directly to hospital
Lecheng zone pricing. Deposit on admission. China Care does not collect medical payments. Treatment costs quoted directly by the hospital.
Entry visa
Visa-free for 59+ nationalities
Hainan island visa-free policy, up to 30 days. Significantly simpler than the medical visa required for mainland Chinese hospitals.
Advance booking
1–2 weeks minimum
All appointments arranged through China Care before travel.
From airport
~25 min from Boao Airport
Also accessible from Haikou Meilan International Airport (~90 min). Resort accommodation available near the Lecheng zone.
Language
Mandarin + bilingual coordination
Clinical staff operate in Mandarin. China Care provides bilingual coordination throughout your treatment.
Lecheng zone policy
Overseas-approved drugs — 2–3 yr pre-NMPA
China Care confirms availability of specific treatments under the zone policy at the proxy consultation stage before you commit to travel.
Common Questions
What patients ask about Ruijin Hospital Hainan
What does the Lecheng zone "early-access" drug policy actually mean for patients?
The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone operates under a government policy that allows hospitals within the zone to use drugs and medical devices that have received regulatory approval in the US, EU, or Japan but have not yet completed NMPA approval in mainland China. In practice, this means treatments that are standard of care in the West but may not be available at any other Chinese hospital — including main academic centres like the Ruijin Shanghai campus — can be administered at Ruijin Hainan. China Care confirms availability of specific treatments at the proxy consultation stage before you commit to travel.
How does Ruijin Hospital Hainan compare to the main Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai?
Ruijin Hainan was established in 2020 and operates as a branch under Ruijin Shanghai's institutional oversight. Clinical protocols and specialist involvement follow the parent hospital's standards. The main campus in Shanghai has greater breadth of volume and depth of subspecialty teams across all clinical areas. However, for the specific advantage of early-access medicines under the Lecheng zone policy — as well as the visa-free entry benefit — the Hainan branch actually offers capabilities that the main Shanghai campus cannot. For complex oncology and rare disease cases where newer therapeutics are a specific consideration, Ruijin Hainan can be the more appropriate access point.
Do I need a medical visa to access Ruijin Hospital Hainan?
No. Hainan island has a visa-free policy for nationals of over 59 countries for stays of up to 30 days. This is a major practical advantage compared to mainland China hospitals, which require international patients to obtain a formal medical visa before travel. China Care confirms the applicable entry rules for your nationality when your case is submitted.
What diseases and conditions is Ruijin Hainan best suited for treating?
Ruijin Hainan is best suited for: haematological malignancies (lymphoma, leukaemia, myeloma) where newer targeted agents or antibody-drug conjugates may be available under the Lecheng policy; advanced solid tumour oncology where patients have been advised that a specific drug approved in the US or EU is their best next option; rare diseases (haematological, endocrinological, metabolic) where treatments approved internationally are not yet NMPA-listed; and endocrinological or gastroenterological conditions requiring specialist Ruijin expertise with potential access to newer biologics.
What does treatment cost at Ruijin Hospital Hainan?
Treatment costs are quoted directly by Ruijin Hospital Hainan and paid in RMB directly to the hospital. For cases involving early-access overseas-approved drugs, costs may reflect the international pricing of those agents. China Care provides a full cost estimate before you confirm travel, and we never add to or mark up the hospital's quoted treatment cost.
Can Ruijin Hainan handle CAR-T cell therapy?
CAR-T cell therapy requires specific manufacturing infrastructure, specialised inpatient facilities, and high-volume experience managing complex toxicities. The primary CAR-T centres in China are high-volume academic hospitals on the mainland — including Ruijin Shanghai and Tongji Wuhan. If CAR-T is your specific treatment need, China Care would normally recommend one of these dedicated mainland centres. If you are interested in access to a specific CAR-T product approved internationally but not yet NMPA-listed, we would assess the Lecheng policy applicability as part of your case review.
Get Started
Ready to access Ruijin Hospital Hainan through China Care?
Submit your case. China Care conducts a proxy consultation and confirms early-access drug eligibility at the Lecheng zone before you travel.
Treatment costs are quoted directly by Ruijin Hospital Hainan. We never add to or mark up the hospital's quoted treatment cost. Visa-free entry to Hainan for nationals of 59+ countries.
