Better living spurs boom in healthcare services

As China pursues high-quality development and encourages global companies to invest more in the nation's healthcare sector, Shanghai United Family Pudong Hospital, a member of the United Family Healthcare network, plans to deploy more resources and personalized services into women's care for the long term.

The hospital recently featured a lecture for expectant mothers on pregnancy, covering a variety of topics such as yoga and nutrition knowledge. About 40 pregnant mothers and their family members participated in the activity.

Christine Lee, SHUPH's associate general manager, said the hospital hopes to provide more personalized medical services and continue to ensure smooth childbirth and scientific baby care through its continuous community-oriented projects. It will hold more exchange activities to help expectant mothers with a successful delivery and swift recovery in the future.

According to the hospital, it has always been baffling for expectant moms whether or not to exercise and, if so, what is the best way to stay fit while pregnant. As a matter of fact, proper exercise with effective protection and care is necessary and conducive to a natural childbirth.

During the lecture event, the hospital invited professional yoga instructors to teach the mothers-to-be some simple yoga moves -- balanced breathing, sitting and stretching of the back -- to mitigate spinal soreness and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

"As our living standards have improved, we have shifted our focus from the lack of nutrition to rational intake and managing nutrition. Controlling body weight and sugar is hugely important throughout pregnancy," said Yin Ye, a nutritionist at SHUPH.

Private hospitals, as a beneficial supplement to China's public hospitals, certainly have more potential to target market segments and offer high-value services to continue robust growth and serve more people in need, said Zhang Yuxin, a professor at the School of Public Health, China Medical University in Shenyang, Liaoning province.

Statistics from the Beijing-headquartered think tank iyiou.com revealed that by September, there were a total of 20,011 private hospitals in China, accounting for nearly half of the country's medical institutions.