You go to a public hospital to make an appointment, known as guahao (挂å·). If the hospital is busy, which it usually is, you could be waiting in line for half a day. After guahao, you need to pay the consultation fee in another line. Only then can you see a doctor. After diagnosis, you get your prescription and line up again to pay for it. Then you wait in hopefully the last line to pick up your medication… if you’re still standing or have someone helping you.
How Tencent’s medical ecosystem is shaping the future of China’s healthcare