Emergency medical services in Shanghai

Medical emergencies can strike without warning. When urgent care is needed in the dead of night — especially in an unfamiliar city — the situation can feel particularly alarming.

Shanghai's healthcare system prioritizes rapid response: patients facing life-threatening emergencies receive prompt medical attention. If you experience a serious medical emergency, seek help immediately — financial concerns should never prevent you from calling for urgent care.

Call 120 when you need emergency care and first aid.

Below are some international hospitals with emergency departments.

Shanghai United Family Hospital

As one of the first international hospitals in China, this hospital's emergency department offers comprehensive care. From acute coronary issues and strokes to major traumas, and from pediatrics to severe obstetric situations, they've got everything covered 24/7.

Their green channels ensure that specialists are always on hand, ready to provide emergency care or surgical procedures for children, adults, and the elderly.

Essential info about ambulance services

To call an ambulance in Shanghai, dial 120 (operated by the Shanghai Emergency Medical Center). While the service is in Chinese, operators can connect you to a third-party translator, though delays may occur.

You can also contact the SHU emergency hotline (021-22163999), staffed 24/7 by Emergency Room receptionists trained to coordinate emergencies. Provide your name, exact location, and medical details to expedite help.

Once you are in the ambulance, you can usually choose the hospital you want to be taken to. You can ask to be taken to the Shanghai United Family Hospital at No 1139 Xianxia Road, Changning district. But in critical cases, you will be taken to the nearest suitable hospital (within 3-5 km).

The ambulance fee includes a 30-yuan (about $4) base charge, plus 7 yuan per kilometer after the first three km. Additional costs include an 80-yuan hourly waiting fee and a 60-yuan pre-hospital emergency care charge. Typically, the total cost stays under 300 yuan unless the distance is exceptionally long.

Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital

Nestled in the heart of the Bund area, this hospital offers 24-hour emergency services, making it a convenient choice for the international community. Their medical team, particularly skilled in surgical and orthopedic emergencies, has a wealth of experience in trauma care.

Jiahui International Hospital

Jiahui provides comprehensive emergency medical services supported by multidisciplinary teams for rapid response and treatment. Critical conditions like acute chest pain and stroke benefit from dedicated green channels equipped with advanced technology, ensuring swift hospitalization and urgent intervention when needed.

Through robust public health collaboration, Jiahui offers specialized clinics for things like dog bite treatment and fever care, along with direct access to green channels connecting patients to Shanghai's leading public hospitals when required.

Dog Bites in Shanghai, Woof!

If you're bitten or scratched by a furry friend, it's crucial to seek immediate medical care and consider rabies vaccinations. The good news? Shanghai offers 24/7 dog bite clinics across the city. Here's your quick guide to emergency care:

24-hour rabies clinics in Shanghai

Sources: Shanghai Medical Emergency Center, Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Shanghai United Family Hospital, Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital, Jiahui International Hospital