Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
In a recent viral social media post, an Italian expatriate living in Hainan, China, shared his astonishing experience with the Chinese healthcare system, claiming his medical visit cost him merely 24 yuan (approximately €3). The story has generated widespread discussion and skepticism among Chinese netizens and even the man's own family.
Andrea, who shares his experiences in China through the social media account "Hi Andrea," posted a video detailing his unexpected medical visit after falling ill during his stay. What struck him most wasn't the quality of care he received, but rather the remarkably low cost of the consultation.
"In Italy, when people get sick, their first instinct isn't to go to the hospital. Most would rather try to tough it out," Andrea explained in his emotional video. He compared the cost of similar treatment in Italy, which he estimated would be around €300 (approximately 2,350 yuan), nearly 98 times more expensive than what he paid in China.
The stark contrast in healthcare costs moved Andrea to tears in his video, particularly when considering the accessibility of medical care in both countries. He noted that in Italy, many people without health insurance would hesitate to seek medical attention, while in China, he could receive immediate care for what amounts to pocket change.
However, his story was met with significant skepticism online. Many Chinese netizens found it difficult to believe, given their own experiences with medical costs in China. Some shared their own medical expenses, such as 6,000 yuan for wisdom tooth extraction or 200 yuan for fish bone removal, questioning the authenticity of Andrea's account.
To address the mounting disbelief, Andrea made a follow-up video showing his fully recovered eye and reaffirming the truth of his experience. He expressed profound gratitude towards China's healthcare system, even blowing a kiss to the camera while saying "Thank you, China" and emphasizing how well he could see now.
The mystery was eventually unraveled by more informed netizens who explained that such low costs are indeed possible at community clinics, where registration fees are minimal. The treatment likely involved a simple consultation and eye drops prescription, making the 24-yuan bill entirely plausible.
The story took an interesting turn when Andrea revealed he had initially told his family in Italy the treatment cost €200, not wanting to worry them with his medical situation. When his parents accepted this higher amount as reasonable - noting that in Italy, he would have waited at least 12 hours for treatment - Andrea revealed the true cost. His family was stunned by the actual price, leading his mother to consider China as a potential destination for future medical treatment.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about healthcare accessibility and costs across different countries. While some Chinese netizens speculated that Andrea might have received preferential treatment as a foreigner, others pointed out that basic medical services at community clinics in China are indeed affordable, with higher costs typically associated with larger hospitals and more complex procedures.
