HAIKOU, China: A Pakistani medical professional, Hassan, has emerged as a key figure in promoting international healthcare cooperation in China, connecting overseas patients and healthcare partners with advanced medical services in the southern Chinese province of Hainan, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.
Hassan, who arrived in China more than 16 years ago out of a childhood fascination with Chinese history and culture, currently serves as Business Development Manager at the Boao Yiling Life Care Center in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone.
What began as a journey to explore a different culture eventually developed into a professional career in China's healthcare sector.
A graduate of Hainan Medical University and a former practicing physician, Hassan now uses his medical background and multilingual skills to facilitate international healthcare partnerships and connect foreign patients with medical services in China.
"I want to connect the whole world with China's healthcare system," Hassan told Xinhua.
Hassan first arrived in Beijing in 2010 and later studied Chinese at an institution in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. However, a visit to Hainan changed his plans, prompting him to relocate to the island and enroll at Hainan Medical University.
Driven by a desire to serve others, he pursued medicine and subsequently worked as a doctor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University for approximately two years before shifting his career toward international medical cooperation.
Explaining his professional transition, Hassan said he was particularly impressed by the efficiency of China's healthcare system, where medical examinations and treatments could often be completed much faster than in countries where patients face lengthy waiting periods.
Recalling a recent case, Hassan described how a patient from New Zealand visited the Yiling center for a routine health examination despite having no complaints of chest or abdominal discomfort. Medical examinations revealed that the patient's gallbladder contained multiple stones, including one particularly large stone.
According to Hassan, the necessary examinations and subsequent treatment were completed within just three days, demonstrating the importance of timely medical screening and the accessibility of healthcare services in Hainan.
During the past 18 months in his current position, Hassan has hosted 10 international delegations, including a group of representatives from 32 countries attending the Boao Forum for Asia.
The visiting delegations observed China's healthcare facilities and medical technologies firsthand. Hassan said several delegates subsequently contacted him about bringing family members to Hainan for medical examinations or treatment.
The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, a pioneering initiative under the Hainan Free Trade Port's preferential policies, is rapidly emerging as a major international healthcare destination.
According to official statistics cited by Xinhua, the zone recorded approximately 791,300 medical tourism visits between January and August 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 98.97 percent.
During the same period, the number of overseas medical tourists reached 9,611, approximately 4.5 times the figure recorded a year earlier.
Hassan attributed the zone's growing international appeal to its favorable policies, access to advanced medical technologies, visa-free entry arrangements for eligible travelers, and a wide range of healthcare services, including routine medical examinations and traditional Chinese medicine.
He also highlighted the increasing international attention Hainan has attracted since the launch of island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port on December 18, 2025.
According to Hassan, several overseas companies have expressed interest in establishing businesses in Hainan and exploring cooperation in international patient referrals, while international flights and tourist arrivals have also continued to increase.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Hassan enjoys exploring Hainan's countryside and interacting with local communities.
"Hainan is very beautiful. There are many beautiful small villages here, and I enjoy visiting them," he said.
Looking ahead, Hassan hopes to establish additional international partnerships and strengthen connections between healthcare systems worldwide and China.
He is particularly interested in expanding medical cooperation between Pakistan and China under the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in healthcare services, medical technology transfer, and professional collaboration.
Hassan believes such partnerships could contribute to improving healthcare accessibility and strengthening medical cooperation between the two countries.
"I am happy that my career gives me an opportunity to connect the world with China. I hope to play an even more active role in promoting healthcare cooperation with different countries," he said.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
