Southwest Hospital (陆军军医大学西南医院), the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University, is the highest-ranked hospital in Chongqing — #39 nationally on the Fudan Hospital Ranking. It is a national referral centre for burn treatment and reconstructive surgery, and runs one of the most active organ transplant programmes in western China. With over 3,000 beds and 25 clinical departments, it maintains an International Medical Department with English-capable coordination. Whether it is the appropriate option for your situation depends on your diagnosis and objectives — China Care helps you work that out before you travel.
Southwest Hospital (陆军军医大学西南医院) traces its origins to the Nationalist Government Central Hospital founded in Nanjing in 1929, relocating to Chongqing in 1941. Today it is the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University and the highest-ranked hospital in Chongqing — #39 nationally on the Fudan Hospital Ranking. It operates more than 3,000 inpatient beds across 25 clinical departments and sees over 3 million outpatient visits annually.
Southwest is nationally recognised for burn treatment and reconstructive plastic surgery, where it serves as a referral centre for catastrophic burn injuries from across China. Its organ transplant programme is among the most active in western China, covering liver, kidney, and corneal transplantation. The hospital also maintains strong programmes in gastroenterology, hepatobiliary surgery, orthopaedics, and infectious disease — a breadth that supports comprehensive multidisciplinary care.
For international patients, Southwest operates an International Medical Department that coordinates English-capable appointments, medical record translation, and international billing. China Care complements this by providing end-to-end coordination — from initial case review and department matching to on-the-ground interpretation and logistics throughout your stay in Chongqing.
Southwest is a national referral point for complex burn injuries, scar revision, and post-burn reconstruction. Its plastic and reconstructive surgery department handles microsurgery and craniofacial reconstruction, and is regularly consulted for cases that other hospitals refer onward. For patients with severe burn injuries, this depth of experience is difficult to find elsewhere in western China.
Among the busiest transplant centres in western China, Southwest performs liver, kidney, and corneal transplantation with extensive immunosuppression management experience. High annual volumes support established clinical pathways and multidisciplinary follow-up. China Care helps transplant candidates prepare records and coordinate evaluation appointments in advance.
Chongqing is a major western China hub with direct flights from most large Chinese cities and growing international connectivity. Treatment costs at Southwest are generally lower than equivalent care in Beijing or Shanghai for comparable clinical quality. For patients from Southwest Asia or inland China, Chongqing is often more convenient and cost-effective than the eastern metropolises. China Care helps you evaluate the full cost-benefit before travel.
Finding a hospital's name is easy. Knowing whether it's actually the right one for your situation is much harder — that's where China Care helps.
Most international patients researching Southwest are unsure whether it's genuinely the right fit for their case, or whether another hospital might serve them better. China Care helps you answer questions like:
The departments most commonly accessed by international patients coordinated through China Care at Southwest Hospital.
Finding a hospital is the easy part. Understanding whether it's the right one for your situation is harder — China Care guides you through that, from initial guidance through to on-the-ground support in Chongqing.
Send your medical records, imaging reports, and a brief description of your condition and treatment goals. For surgical or transplant cases, include pathology reports and prior treatment history. This step is free and helps us understand whether Southwest — or another hospital — may be worth exploring for your case.
free · 1–2 daysChina Care registers your case with Southwest's International Medical Department, translates your medical records and referral documents, and confirms your appointment date, department, and specialist before you book travel — all coordinated in English on your behalf. This is a fixed-fee service, agreed with you upfront. Already in China? Skip this step — China Care can arrange direct escort and interpretation for your own visit instead.
Hospital Access · fixed fee · confirmed appointmentWith your appointment confirmed, you travel to Chongqing for your own in-person consultation. The specialist reviews your case in person, confirms the treatment plan, and provides a formal cost estimate — this step cannot be completed remotely at a public hospital. China Care's bilingual coordinator accompanies you throughout. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport serves direct flights from most major Chinese cities.
in-person consultation · treatment plan & cost estimate issuedChina Care remains available for interpretation during consultations, assistance with hospital processes, and coordination of follow-up documentation after your return home. We ensure your discharge summary and clinical reports are translated and sent to your referring physician.
continuous support · bilingual coordinationWhichever stage you're at, China Care's role is the same: help you make an informed decision, not just a booking.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general reference purposes only and may be subject to change. Patients should confirm service availability, pricing, and clinical details directly with the hospital. China Care does not provide medical advice or guarantee clinical outcomes.
Southwest is one of China's most capable military hospitals, but whether it's the right one for your situation depends on your diagnosis, your treatment goals, and your preferences. China Care helps you find the answer — before you travel.
Free initial case review · Fixed coordination fee · Pay the hospital directly for all medical costs
Flexible booking · Free rescheduling up to 24h before your appointment